tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 4 out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on to chase winner after last, no impression
tracked leaders, 2 lengths down in 2nd, one pace when blundered last, not recover
led, not fluent 2nd and 3rd, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened next
held up in rear, smooth headway to lead 3 out, kept on well
held up in touch, lost place 5th, ridden after 3 out, headway 2 out, kept on
tracked leader, joined leader 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon every chance, hampered last, kept on
held up in touch, hit 5th, weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened after next
A battle of this year's nearly horses with Faasel, Arcalis and Royal Shakespeare all on the short list and we turn to Faasel. Nicky Richards has had this race in mind for some time for Faasel and while his supporters have had a barren season, it is hoped that all of the excuses about soft going are put to bed, and the horse consents to gain his first victory of the term. Arcalis went to the head of this year's Champion Hurdle market with an impressive victory in the Flying Fifth at Newcastle. He finished ahead of the selection at the Festival but those jumping frailties became apparent once more. Royal Shakespeare and Mister McGoldrick are chasing the spoils in the BHB Order of Merit series. The former is just two points behind Monkerhostin and victory would put him in a very favourable position. The latter is an adequate two miler but all chance surely hinges on securing an unassailably soft lead in front. Noble Request is open to improvement but this is a big step up in class. United has had well documented training troubles and we are yet to see the best of Lucy Wadham's stable star. A tough race but if it is run at a true pace, Faasel snatches the percentage call.
Arcalis 9-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, hit 5th, headway from 3 out, staying on one pace when hit last, 5th of 18, 11l behind Brave Inca (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Faasel (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and beaten next, 8th of 18, 21l behind Brave Inca (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Royal Shakespeare (FR) 40-1 (11-7) In touch to 7th, soon behind, 7th of 9, well behind Asian Maze (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f hdl Grd 1 (1) gd.
Mister McGoldrick 11-1 (11-10) In touch, ridden and lost place after 8th, behind when pulled up at the 9th in race won by Hi Cloy (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f chs Grd 1 (1) gd, 11 ran.
Noble Request (FR) 9-1 (11-5) Held up, headway after 6th, every chance 2 out, ridden approaching last, one pace flat, 2nd of 17, 9l behind Wellbeing (10-2) at Aintree 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs.
Phar Bleu (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, led after 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, soon weakened, 10th of 24, 12l behind Strangely Brown (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gs.
Desert Air (JPN) 66-1 (11-0) Led to 2nd, ridden and weakened approaching 6th, 20th of 24, well behind Strangely Brown (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gs.
United (GER) (9-11) Mistakes, in touch to halfway, trailing when pulled up behind Royale Athenia (10-1) at Auteuil 2m 3f hdl Grd 3 , 8 ran.
Overstrand (IRE) 100-1 (9-9) Held up, headway after 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, blundered last, 17th of 24, 29l behind Strangely Brown (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gs.
