chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, weakened 5 out, moderate 4th
mid-division, pushed along 10th, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up 2 out
tracked leader, effort 4 out, soon under pressure, never on terms
led, mistake 4 out, headed after next, weakened before last
chased leaders, lost place 3rd, soon towards rear, beaten 5 out
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders halfway, led approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly
behind, struggling 9th, soon tailed off, pulled up 5 out
ATTAGLANCE made rapid strides over hurdles in the spring, completing a rare handicap double at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals. He looks an exciting prospect over fences for Malcolm Jefferson if that upward curve is extended and should land this, though there are a few in this that should be worth following this season. One is Dark Glacier, a strapping individual who was marking time over the smaller obstacles last term. Rival D'Estruval, Changing Times and Big Occasion are all winners over hurdles but the soft ground could be a worry for the former on his return to action. Amron Lad could also be found wanting on the prevailing surface while Stronghaven has been absent for a while and is taking on some very promising novices here.
Amron Lad (IRE) 10-11fav (11-5) Close up, chased leader after 8th, led 2 out, ridden out, won at Bangor 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in May beating Heliopsis (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Attaglance 14-1 (11-12) Held up mid-division on outer, headway 7th, pushed along before 3 out, soon ridden, led before 2 out, pressed last, kept on gamely run-in, held on well, won at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr beating Tour D'argent (10-13) by 1 3/4l, 21 ran.
Big Occasion (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway on outer before 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 7th of 18, 18l behind American Spin (10-13) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) sft in May.
Changing Times (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Led, hung right after 4th, hung badly right from next, blundered 6th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Attaglance (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Conditional Handicap Hurdle (0-145) (4yo+) (2) gd in Mar, 24 ran.
Dark Glacier (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Prominent, not fluent 5th, ridden approaching 9th, well beaten 2 out, 5th of 8, 19l behind Ambion Wood (11-6) at Perth 3m nov hdl (2) sft in Apr.
Rival D'Estruval (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear in 5th, blundered 7th, went 3rd 5 out, jumped left and chased winner from 2 out, never able to challenge, 2nd of 6, 14l behind Pacha Du Polder (11-4) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Stronghaven (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, stayed on well, won at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in May '11 beating Rangefinder (10-12) by 2 3/4l, 16 ran.
