led, clear and not fluent 2nd, mistake 7th, jumped left 8th, outpaced 2 out, kept on from last, went 4th flat
held up in rear, headway before 2 out, went 4th before and not fluent last, soon ridden, kept on to lead towards finish
tracked leaders in 3rd, headway before 3 out, every chance 2 out, weakened after last, lost 4th pace flat
tracked leader, hampered 8th, led 3 out, ridden and headed last, no extra flat
held up in touch, headway 8th, led last, kept on and headed towards finish
held up towards rear, headway before 9th, weakened after 3 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
A few of these will be eyeing up a trip to the Festival for the final and may not be fully wound-up here. Shutthefrontdoor and Green Flag have already been in form, however, the former making a big move up in distance after 2m wins at Uttoxeter and Wincanton. It's a bit of a worry that she was beaten over 2m2f at Folkestone when odds-on. Green Flag has won over 3m between the flags but seems best on really heavy ground while Quartz De Thaix is having a confidence-booster having jumped poorly before eventually falling at Cheltenham. KNOCKARA BEAU ran a cracker from the front in the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle last month and usually comes good at this time of year. He could lead these a merry dance and is preferred to novice Corrin Wood and the disappointing Destroyer Deployed. Ardkilly Witness has something to prove in this grade while Seymour Eric is 11lb out of the handicap and Orsippus will probably need this.
Knockara Beau (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed before last, no impression when lost 3rd flat, 4th of 10, 10l behind Reve De Sivola (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Shutthefrontdoor (IRE) 1-5fav (11-11) Held up in rear, headway after 5th, went 3rd before 2 out, ridden before last, led flat, cosily, won at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Big Casino (11-4) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Green Flag (IRE) 5-6fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, clear next, not fluent last, stayed on, won at Ayr 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) hvy in Jan beating Ballybogey (11-2) by 10l, 9 ran.
Corrin Wood (IRE) 1-4fav (11-8) Led until 6th, ridden after 8th, hit 3 out, soon well held, plugged on to close on 2nd flat, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Our Joey (10-9) at Kelso 2m 6f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) hvy in Jan.
Ardkilly Witness (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) In touch, went 3rd from 2 out, kept on and no impression, 3rd of 17, 8l behind Up And Go (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Jan.
Kent Street (IRE) 17-2 (10-7) Trackwed leaders, jumped badly right 1st, soon towards rear, headway after 4 out, ridden before last, kept on top chase winner run-in, no impression, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Herdsman (10-3) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Quartz de Thaix (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Mistakes, soon towards rear, struggling 11th, no impression when fell 15th, in a race won by Cape Tribulation (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Orsippus (USA) 16-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, hit 4th, ridden before 3 out, behind when fell 2 out, in a race won by Attaglance (11-12) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr, 21 ran.
Destroyer Deployed 7-4fav (11-4) Led, ridden and headed over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace, 8th of 12, 22l behind Karinga Dancer (11-4) at Kempton 2m n h flat (5) std in Jan.
Seymour Eric 9-4fav (10-1) Prominent, challenged 8th, led 3 out, clear before next, easily, won at Towcester 2m 5f NH Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-110) (3yo+) (4) hvy in Dec beating Market Option (11-6) by 24l, 6 ran.
