led, soon clear, reduced lead 3 out, headed after 2 out, weakened before last
held up, making steady headway when bumped 2 out, chased leader soon after, challenged last, driven and stayed on gamely to lead final 75 yards
chased leader to 4 out, remained in 3rd, chased leader and hit 2 out, led soon after, hard driven and pressed last, stayed on until no extra and headed final 75 yards
chased leaders until weakened under pressure soon after 2 out
tracked leading pair, went 2nd 4 out, until blundered 2 out and weakened soon after
held up, hit 4th, always behind
towards rear, hit 4th, ridden and struggling next 4 out tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always behind, struggling 3 out, soon lost touch, tailed off
This does not look the most competitive of races by Cheltenham's standards and it is hard to get away from GHIZAO, who has shown a decent level of form in winning two starts in bumpers for Paul Nicholls this season, and he gets the vote to make a winning hurdling debut with the main dangers rated as General Miller and Lidar. Alan King's gelding has six lengths to find with the selection on running here last time but he had shown decent form last season and the yard have their runners in better form now than earlier in the campaign so he cannot be discounted. Cootehill has the advantage of experience but faces no easy task in giving 10lbs away to his main rivals and he may have to settle for minor honours. Miller's Dawn has disappointed in both starts this term and looks best watched with a bigger threat likely to come from General Miller. Nicky Henderson's runners can do little wrong at present and he has to be respected having won both starts in bumpers last season but Ghizao has the better form and he looks the one to be on.
Cootehill (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, jumped right 2 out, soon ridden, weakening when jumped right last, last of 8, 13l behind Loosen My Load (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Nov.
General Miller Evensfav (11-6) Held up, headway 3f out, led over 2f out, driven clear final furlong, won at Perth 2m NH flat (4) gd in Apr beating Russian War (11-9) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Ghizao (GER) 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 5f out, led over 2f out, clear final furlong, ran on well, won at Cheltenham 2m NH flat Listed (1) sft in Nov beating Lidar (11-4) by 6l, 8 ran.
Imperial Shabra (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, headway in 6th 3 out, challenged in 3rd 2 out, ridden and no extra approaching last, kept on one pace run-in, 8th of 21, 6l behind Fivestar Alstars (10-2) at Naas 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 hvy.
Lidar (FR) 11-10fav (11-4) Held up in 4th, went 3rd 3f out, ridden 2f out, chased winner 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Ghizao (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m NH flat Listed (1) sft in Nov.
Miller's Dawn 12-1 (10-12) In rear, jumped slow early, ridden 4 out, weakened next, 10th of 11, 20l behind Ashfield's Dream (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Nishnash 9-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Le Platino (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 7 ran.
Autumm Spirit 150-1 (10-7) Ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened soon after, 7th of 12, 29l behind Dot's Delight (10-5) at Lingfield 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Hideaway 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 7th, soon chasing leaders, weakened 3 out, 6th of 18, 48l behind Sandynow (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft.
