prominent, shaken up after 5th, ridden 3 out, no impression
in touch, ridden and lost touch approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, led after 3 out, shaken up approaching last, soon in command, comfortably
led until after 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept on but no chance with winner
pulled early, held up, lost place after 4th, tailed off
Not for the first time there is a disappointing turnout for the Elite Hurdle with just five runners lining up but the quality is still there in the shape of the likes of KATCHIT, Takeroc and Blythe Knight, with the first mentioned of the trio getting the verdict. Having won the Triumph Hurdle in his first season, the selection continued to progress over timber last term, culminating with success back at Cheltenham in the Champion Hurdle. Alan King's gelding should have come on for his reappearance defeat behind Snap Tie at Kempton last month and he can take this before going on to better things later in the campaign. Nicky Henderson has his team in great from at present and his runner Chomba Womba has to be considered on her return to action, although she may be better over further. Alison Thorpe¿s Dishdasha has run to a consistent level of form and warrants respect but he faces no easy task and of more interest may be French import Takeroc who has shown a decent level of form in three starts for Paul Nicholls last term over both hurdles and fences and he has to be considered. John Quinn has his team in good form at present and his runner Blythe Knight is more than capable of taking a hand in the finish here but it is hard to get away from Katchit who gets the vote to resume winning ways. (Nick Millard)
Katchit (IRE) 4-5fav (11-8) Chased leader, led on inside well before 2 out, soon pressed, headed last, no extra run in, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Snap Tie (11-5) at Kempton 2m hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Blythe Knight (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Mid-division until 5th, soon behind, 11th of 15, 36l behind Katchit (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Chomba Womba (IRE) 10-3fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway after 4th, quickened to lead approaching last, soon headed, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Whiteoak (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Mar.
Takeroc (FR) 9-4fav (10-4) Towards rear, headway to track leaders 4 out, ridden and challenged winner from next, one pace approaching last, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Border Castle (9-13) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Dishdasha (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on well to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 3l behind French Opera (11-8) at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Oct.
