chased leader, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, blundered 2 out
chased leaders, hit 6th, reminders, led 3 out, soon ridden, headed before next, weakened
mid-division, hit 9th, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on to go 2nd after 2 out, no chance with winner
held up, disputing 5th and travelling well when fell 4 out
held up, headway 10th, weakened 3 out
led, ridden and headed 3 out, soon beaten
held up, hampered 11th, headway under pressure after 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd last, closed on 2nd towards finish
mid-division, mistake 1st, ridden after 10th, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, mistakes 3rd and 7th, headway 10th, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, easily
held up towards rear, headway and short lived effort after 3 out
chasing leader when pulled up after 9th, dismounted
Blazing Bailey bounced back to winning ways following a respectable fourth in the World Hurdle with wins in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree and World Series Hurdle at Punchestown and he has to be respected but it is hard to get away from Nicky Henderson's PUNCHESTOWNS, who gets the vote with stable companion Duc De Regniere rated the main danger. The selection has always looked an exciting recruit from France for the Henderson team and following a promising first season last term, the son of Morespeed looked impressive when landing a big field handicap at Cheltenham last month, giving every indication that the longer trip here would bring about even further improvement. David Pipe's Lough Derg is capable but inconsistent, while No Refuge has a bit to find with another of today's rivals Petitfour on running in the West Yorkshire Hurdle. Elusive Dream should do better over the longer trip today having been beaten by Chomba Womba over 2m4f last time but more solid claims are held by another Paul Nicholls runner Mobaasher, who has shown a decent level of form in two starts this term. He is though another strictly held by Petitfour on running at Wetherby and the pair are held, along with Blazing Bailey, by Duc De Regniere on form at Newbury last month. Nicky Henderson's gelding looked a top class recruit to the staying ranks that day and he will take some beating but stable companion Punchestowns may well be up to the task of doing so.
Atamane (GER) (10-1) Made all, stayed on strongly, won at Auteuil 2m 5f hdl in Nov beating Musica Bella (9-13) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Blazing Bailey 3-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, driven along approaching 3 out, blundered and weakened next, hit last, 4th of 9, 12l behind Duc De Regniere (11-0) at Newbury 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Duc De Regniere (FR) 9-1 (11-0) Held up in close touch, closed up smoothly approaching 3 out, challenged on bit 2 out, soon led, clear before last, pushed out flat, easily, won at Newbury 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov beating Mobaasher (11-4) by 5l, 9 ran.
Elusive Dream 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, one pace last, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Chomba Womba (11-1) at Ascot 2m 3f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Hills Of Aran 16-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next, 6th of 9, 14l behind Duc De Regniere (11-0) at Newbury 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Lough Derg (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Led and soon clear, ridden 7th, headed 3 out, soon held, 6th of 8, 11l behind Chomba Womba (11-1) at Ascot 2m 3f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Mobaasher (USA) 9-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Duc De Regniere (11-0) at Newbury 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Pettifour (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, hit 4 out, slight lead after, jumped right 3 out, driven and jumped right 2 out, headed soon after, no chance with winner, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Duc De Regniere (11-0) at Newbury 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs i.
Punchestowns (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 7th, led just after 3 out, drew clear on bit approaching last, easily, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Nov beating Ballydub (10-11) by 3 1/2l, 19 ran.
Serabad (FR) 9-2 (11-9) Held up in touch, steady headway approaching 3 out, led between last 2, driven and drew clear flat, won at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Nov beating Nevertika (10-11) by 4l, 9 ran.
One Gulp 15-2 (11-2) Tracked leader, led 2 out, stayed on strongly from last, ridden out, won at Kempton 3m mrs lst nov hdl (1) gd in Nov beating Amber Brook (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
