chased leaders, under pressure 2 out, every chance last, carried slightly right after last, kept on same pace closing stages
tracked leader, driven to challenge 3 out, weakened last
held up in rear but in touch, headway to chase leader when not fluent 3 out, led last, hung right under pressure closing stages, kept on well
led, mistake 4th, strongly challenged after 3 out, headed last, weakened quickly
took keen hold in touch, under pressure after 4 out, weakening when mistake next, tailed off
It's three years since Guitar Pete won the Grade 1 Four-Year-Old Hurdle at Aintree when trained in Ireland and he's obviously fallen a long way from grace though changing stables might revitalise him. DOMINADA (NAP) went to Cheltenham for the County Hurdle and, though eventually well beaten, ran well for a long way. He'd earlier won at Musselburgh then finished second in a Listed handicap there so this represents a drop in class and he can get back to winning ways. Applesandpierres couldn't cope with Cool Sky at Fontwell but was attempting to concede the winner 11lb while Deserter has been waiting for the ground to dry out and ended the last campaign in excellent form. Derintoher Yank is another who wants quick going as he showed when completing a double at Cartmel in the autumn and he was beaten a long way when encountering softer conditions at Sedgefield in December. Lord Wishes has been in poor form over fences but isn't out of this as he won easily over hurdles at Hexham in June.
Guitar Pete (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Soon towards rear, pushed along briefly after 10th, under pressure from next, no impression and slight mistake 5 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, dist behind Texas Jack (10-11) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Dominada (IRE) 40-1 (10-3) Prominent, lost place on inside after 2 out, soon weakened, 23rd of 25, dist behind Arctic Fire (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Applesandpierres (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Held up in 5th, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, rallied into 2nd approaching the last, rallied as winner veered badly right run-in, led 100 yards out, headed and not pace of winner towards finish, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Cool Sky (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Derintoher Yank (IRE) 15-8 (11-12) Led, clear with winner 4th, ridden and headed 6th, chased winner, kept on same pace from 2 out, 2nd of 5, 34l behind Justforjames (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) gs in Dec.
Deserter (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Close up until before 6th, ridden after 3 out, closed after 3 out, led last, stayed on well flat, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gf in Oct beating Doitforjoe (11-12) by 1l, 5 ran.
Lord Wishes (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Prominent, when blundered and unseated rider 2nd, at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
