held up mid-division, headway before 5 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, led before 5 out, headed briefly before 3 out, mistake 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra and lost 4th place run-in
led, headed before 5 out, soon quickly weakened, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
soon in rear, pushed along before 5th, detached 7th, pulled up after 7th
held up mid-division, headway after 4 out, soon pushed along, ridden and weakened before 3 out
close up, weakened before 5 out, soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, every chance 2 out, ridden before last, kept on run-in
in rear, headway before 4 out, ridden to challenge from 2 out, every chance run-in, kept on and held towards finish
in touch, ridden after 2 out, kept on to take 4th place run-in
tracked leaders in 4th, led briefly before 3 out, weakened from 2 out
towards rear, headway from 6 out, led 2 out, ridden before last, held on towards finish, driven out
NonRunner
Cole Harden adopted his usual front-running tactics in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham last month but was outpaced once headed approaching the last. However, he still finished well ahead of Snow Falcon. Yanworth started favourite for the Champion Hurdle but was soon left behind when the pace quickened at the top of the hill. He’s probably shown his best over 2m4f and is entering unknown territory over this trip in a race in which a strong pace is guaranteed. Ballyoptic has been a bit unlucky but hasn’t really progressed this season but Ptit Zig wouldn’t be without a chance on his best form. It must be significant that Jessica Harrington has chosen to run SUPASUNDAE in this rather than the handicap at the top of the card. He has a little to find on official figures but was most impressive when beating Taquin Du Seuil in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham and should handle the step up in distance on the prevailing going.
Aux Ptits Soins (FR) 3-1 (11-2) Towards rear and in touch, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 3 3/4l behind Zarkandar (11-2) at Haydock 2m 7f (1) gs in Feb.
Ballyoptic (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Mostly tracked leader, hit 6th, not fluent and lost 2nd 9th, not fluent 3 out, ridden and lost place before next, well behind when pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Cole Harden (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Led, niggled along after 9th, headed between last 2, 4th and beaten when jumped left last, stayed on same pace, 4th of 12, 7 3/4l behind Nichols Canyon (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Different Gravey (IRE) 2-1jfav (11-3) Mid-division, soon pushed along and never looked happy, reminders after 4th, lost touch after 6th, 5th of 7, dist behind Camping Ground (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 3f (1) gs in Feb.
Ptit Zig (FR) 25-1 (11-8) Held up in mid-division, modest headway before normal 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 19l behind Unowhatimeanharry (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Jan.
Puffin Billy (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Led, ridden and pressed before last, headed soon after, rallied to regain lead run-in, kept on gamely, won at Ayr 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in Apr beating The Last Samuri (10-9) by nk, 7 ran.
Snow Falcon (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Mid-division, mistake 9th, headway approaching 2 out, chasing leaders on home bend, weakened before last, 5th of 12, 19 3/4l behind Nichols Canyon (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Supasundae 16-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead before last, stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Mar beating Taquin Du Seuil (11-4) by 2l, 25 ran.
Taquin Du Seuil (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, went 2nd last, kept on under pressure flat, always held, 2nd of 25, 2l behind Supasundae (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Three Musketeers (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Towards rear, mistake 10th, headway under pressure chasing leaders and hung right from 3 out, hit next, weakened run-in, 6th of 13, 6 1/4l behind Pilgrims Bay (10-2) at Kempton 3m hcp (1) gd in Feb.
Yanworth 2-1fav (11-10) Tracked leaders on inside, outpaced after 3 out, 9th and looking well held 2 out, plugged on flat, no impression, 7th of 11, 13 3/4l behind Buveur D'air (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
The New One (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Led, clear until before 3rd, jumped right from 4 out, driven and headed before last, no impression on winner flat, lost 2nd final 50 yards, 3rd of 6, 6 1/2l behind Buveur D'air (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gd in Apr.
