prominent, led after 3rd, headed next, weakened 4 out, soon behind, tailed off when fell last
took keen hold, with leader, mistake 2nd, soon lost place, struggling, 5th, rallied 3 out, never a threat, modest 3rd
led until after 3rd, led again next, hard driven when pressed from 2 out, strongly challenged after last, held on gamely
tracked leaders, slow 4th, effort from 2 out, every chance after last, kept on well
Nicky Henderson has trained two of the previous five winners and VYTA DU ROC looks to have decent claims. The grey won a couple of Grade 2 hurdle races last season and the testing ground should not be a problem as he goes chasing for the first time. The Saint James was placed twice in three starts over fences in France last year but has been hurdling since joining Jonjo O'Neill, while Cloughernagh Boy is a bumper winner at Towcester and preferred to fellow chasing newcomer Pressurize.
Cloughernagh Boy (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, led over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, won at Towcester 2m mdn (6) gd in May beating Aces Over Eights (10-9) by 2l, 13 ran.
Pressurize (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, lost place 6th, soon beaten, 8th of 11, dist behind Always Lion (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f (3) gs in Nov.
Vyta Du Roc (FR) 10-3fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, one pace and no impression on front pair after next, left 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 13l behind Thistlecrack (11-4) at Aintree 3m (1) gs in Apr.
The Saint James (FR) 12-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, ridden in 10th after 2 out, no impression, 14th of 22, 30 3/4l behind Sort It Out (10-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp sft in May.
