took keen hold, set off in rear trio, closed before 2nd, pecked 5th, mistake 3 out, went 3rd and switched right after 2 out, driven last, kept on flat but no impression on leading pair
held up in 5th, closed 4th, 2nd before 2 out, led narrowly approaching last, pushed out to assert flat, readily
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, led before 2 out, ridden and headed narrowly approaching last, kept on flat but no impression on ready winner
held up in rear, pulled hard, awkward 4th, closed 4 out, shaken up 2 out, soon beaten, disputing modest 4th when jumped left, mistake last and soon bumped into rival
led, ridden and headed before not fluent 2 out, soon beaten, disputing modest 4th when bumped on landing last
held up towards rear, pushed along and just about in touch after 4 out, outpaced before next, well held 2 out
not fluent, tracked leader until mistake 4th, soon lost place, behind when pulled up after 4 out
tracked leaders on outside, lost place before 2nd, well behind 4 out, tailed off
DEFI DU SEUIL will be a short-priced favourite in this as he bids to make it seven in a row over hurdles. He was very impressive in the Triumph Hurdle last month, hitting the front on the bridle approaching the final flight and sauntering clear on the run-in. Several form lines suggest he has plenty in hand on Flying Tiger and Divin Bere, first and second in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham, and also Forth Bridge. The Queen’s runner won a Listed hurdle at Musselburgh last time but fourth Fidux was a long way adrift in the Fred Winter. It will be a surprise if any of the others are good enough to get involved at the business end.
Bedrock 25-1 (10-12) Held up and behind, hit 3rd, not fluent next, struggling when mistake 3 out, pushed along and headway on inside when badly hampered 2 out, no chance after, 5th of 10, 22 3/4l behind Master Blueyes (11-2) at Kempton 2m (1) gd in Feb.
Defi Du Seuil (FR) 5-2fav (11-0) Held up mid-division, steady headway after 3 out, challenged going well between last 2, led before last, ridden clear flat, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gd in Mar beating Mega Fortune (11-0) by 5l, 15 ran.
Divin Bere (FR) 9-2fav (11-10) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, led after 3 out, headed before last, still every chance when edged right flat, held final 50 yards, ran on, 2nd of 22, nk behind Flying Tiger (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Flying Tiger (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, bumped 3 out, not clear run before next, headway after hurdle, close 3rd last, led flat, ran on well, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Mar beating Divin Bere (11-10) by nk, 22 ran.
Forth Bridge 9-1 (11-8) Led until before 3 out, led again soon after, strongly challenged when mistake last, held on gamely, won at Musselburgh 2m lst (1) gd in Feb beating Warp Factor (11-0) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Landin (GER) 150-1 (11-0) Mid-division, lost place before 3 out, ridden and stayed on into mid-division flat, no chance with leaders, 8th of 15, 14 1/4l behind Defi Du Seuil (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gd in Mar.
Nucky Thompson 10-1 (11-2) Tracked clear leaders, lost place 4 out, weakening when hit 2 out, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Nov.
Ronnie Baird 14-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Talent To Amuse (10-7) at Stratford 2m mdn (4) gs in Mar.
