pressed leader, led 9th, headed narrowly before 4 out, led again last, stayed on well, ridden out
led until mistake 9th, headed last, held final 100 yards, stayed on
last pair, mistake 13th, struggling after, well behind 4 out, tailed off
last pair, pushed along briefly after 11th, closed after 13th, no impression from 2 out, no extra last
Thomas Darby is a smart staying hurdler but hasn’t raced over fences since the end of 2019. Gold Cup Bailly is 3-3 over fences having won twice here already this season. He will make a bold bid to extend his unbeaten record over the larger obstacles but has to concede 14lb to FAMOUS BRIDGE, who can only improve on his fencing bow at Doncaster when third behind a subsequent winner. Gaillimh A Stor fell on his chasing debut here a month ago but also has plenty of scope having won a couple of points.
Thomas Darby (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, well beaten 2 out, plugged on flat, 6th of 10, 23 1/2l behind Hector Javilex (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Gold Cup Bailly (FR) 6-4fav (12-0) Led until before 2nd, led next, headed before 10th, led 12th, headed after 13th, led 4 out, driven out flat, won at Ayr 3m hcp (3) hvy in Jan beating Your Own Story (10-9) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Famous Bridge (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) In rear, headway after 9th, slow 11th, shaken up and switched right after 5 out, mistake 4 out, went 3rd 3 out, no impression, mistake last, 3rd of 5, 14 1/2l behind Bold Endeavour (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Gaillimh A Stor (IRE) 5-2fav (12-2) In rear, mistake 1st, pushed along after 8th, not fluent and behind 10th, headway after 12th, 4 lengths 3rd and keeping on when fell 3 out, at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
