led, hit 6th, soon headed, weakened 2 out
held up, pushed along approaching 5th, struggling from next, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden to go 2nd approaching 3 out until jumped left 2 out, weakening when blundered last
held up and behind, smooth headway approaching 3 out, going well behind leader after 2 out, took lead flat, shaken up and ran on well
chased leader, led after 6th, headed flat, one pace
held up and behind, smooth headway approaching 3 out, going well behind leader from 2 out, hung left before last, found little and hung left flat
chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, mistake 4th, ridden after 6th, weakening when mistake 3 out
held up towards rear, pushed along after 5th, lost touch from 6th, soon behind and eased, tailed off
De Soto comes into this on the back of a very creditable fourth in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle last month but Paul Webber's gelding has yet to prove that he is as effective under this ground and preference is for Ouninpohja, with Bywell Beau rated the best of the rest. The selection has never been the easiest of rides as he tends to stop once hitting the front and, had he hit the front later at Cheltenham, may well have landed the County Hurdle. The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding has ground conditions to suit and looks worth another chance getting the vote in the hope that Ruby Walsh holds him up for as long as possible. Special Envoy was all out to win at Newbury last time and warrants respect but may want a softer surface, while Osana has plenty to find with the selection on Cheltenham running. Crocodile Dundee has no problems with the ground but probably needs to improve and a bigger threat would look to be the progressive Bywell Beau. He too would probably want more testing ground though and a better bet looks to be Ouninpohja, who gets the vote.
Bywell Beau (IRE) 11-8fav (11-6) Jumped right, made all, drew clear after last, comfortably, won at Kelso 2m 2f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Mar beating Mohayer (11-6) by 23l, 9 ran.
Crocodile Dundee (IRE) Evensfav (11-13) Tracked leaders, effort approaching and hit 6th, soon ridden, weakened from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 13l behind Sharp Reply (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
De Soto 12-1 (11-7) Behind, headway from 2 out, stayed on under pressure run-in, 4th of 22, 4l behind Ebaziyan (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Mar.
Blythe Knight (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Keen hold, held up in 4th, closed up 5th, went 3rd before 2 out, chased winner 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 8, 5l behind De Soto (11-8) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Osana (FR) 11-2 (10-9) Led, ridden and headed when mistake last, faded, 10th of 28, 7l behind Pedrobob (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Ouninpohja (IRE) 11-2 (10-0) Held up towards rear, good headway after 2 out, led soon after last, soon ridden and edged right, no extra when headed final 100 yards, 2nd of 28, 1l behind Pedrobob (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Tyson (SAF) 12-1 (11-7) Mid-division, close-up 2 out, soon ridden, weakened between last 2, 9th of 22, 15l behind Ebaziyan (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Mar.
Enforce (USA) 11-4 (10-6) Held up, headway before 4 out, chased leaders next, driven to challenge 2 out, led before last, ran on well, won at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Sweet Medicine (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 18 ran.
Special Envoy (FR) 11-8fav (11-6) Tracked leader, led after 4 out, strongly pressed last, driven and held on gamely flat, won at Newbury 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Mar beating Lead On (11-6) by a nk, 18 ran.
