chased leaders, 2nd before 3rd until approaching next, ridden after 2 out, not pace of front pair before last
made all, jumped slightly right at times, driven and stayed on well flat
held up in rear on outside, closed after 3 out, outpaced after next, soon weakened
held up in rear, taken wide before 3rd, closed after 3 out, outpaced after not fluent next, weakened before last
tracked winner until before 3rd, stayed in touch until outpaced 2 out, weakened
held up, went 2nd before 4th, not fluent 2 out, ridden after last, no impression on winner final 150 yards
A chase career has been temporarily put on hold for THE NEW ONE as he bids to win this for the third time. He’s won on this track five times in total and another big run is anticipated, despite making his seasonal return, though he was behind My Tent Or Yours in the Champion Hurdle here in March and is 8lb worse off. That said, Nicky Henderson’s nine-year-old has never won here and disappointed on his return on heavy ground at Haydock when a couple of lengths behind Melodic Rendezvous. Old Guard won this 12 months ago but was further behind at Haydock and has 4lb more this year Court Minstrel struggles in this grade. But Mister Miyagi hasn’t done much wrong in two runs this term and should give a good account.
Old Guard 5-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon outpaced, last of 4, 6 1/2l behind Ch'tibello (11-1) at Haydock 2m (2) hvy in Nov.
The New One (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) 2nd early, tracked leaders, jumped right and not fluent 3rd, fell 5th, at Aintree 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr.
Court Minstrel (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, held up last, mistake 6th, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, rallied on inside to dispute modest 3rd at the last, no chance with leading duo, 4th of 5, 11 1/4l behind Yanworth (11-4) at Ascot 2m 3f (1) gs in Nov.
Mister Miyagi (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Held up, well in touch when mistake 4 out, 3rd from 2 out, close up when left 2nd and not fluent last, soon edged left, switched right flat, no impression on winner towards finish, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Un Temps Pour Tout (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f (2) gs in Nov.
Melodic Rendezvous 10-1 (11-3) Led, not fluent and headed 3 out, lost 2nd place last, soon ridden, kept on to regain 2nd place run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 2 1/4l behind Ch'tibello (11-1) at Haydock 2m (2) hvy in Nov.
My Tent Or Yours (IRE) 10-11fav (11-3) In rear and in touch, went 3rd from 4 out, going well before 2 out, ridden before last, soon chased winner until no extra run-in, 3rd of 4, 4 1/4l behind Ch'tibello (11-1) at Haydock 2m (2) hvy in Nov.
