held up behind, effort to chase leaders on inside approaching 2 out, soon outpaced, no impression approaching last
blundered 1st, tracked clear leader, led after 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on under pressure flat, just held for 2nd near finish
held up behind on outside, headway to challenge 2 out, soon every chance, ridden and one pace approaching last, no extra flat
held up mainly in 3rd, smooth headway to challenge 2 out, led narrowly between last 2, ridden and headed before last, no impression with winner flat, stayed on under pressure, held on for 2nd near finish
held up in touch on inside, headway approaching 2 out, quickened to lead before last, ridden clear and well in command flat
held up in touch, hit 4th, outpaced 2 out, never on terms
held up behind, short lived effort on outside approaching 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
behind, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous
led and clear to before 3 out, headed soon after, weakened next
Cue Card was an impressive winner of the Champion Bumper at the Festival in March and has attracted rave reviews since starting his hurdling career, scoring at Aintree before landing a Grade 2 novice event over this C&D last month. The sky is still the limit for Colin Tizzard's four-year-old but he faces a stern test of his credentials in this against MENORAH. Philip Hobbs' gelding has won both starts over this C&D, following up victory in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Festival by defying top weight in a Grade 3 handicap on his return to action - he sets the standard. Silviniaco Conti is similar to Cue Card in that he's defending an unbeaten record. He beat seasoned opposition at Ascot last time and is clearly improving but whether he has the pace to match strides with these over a shorter trip will have to be proved.
Cristal Bonus (FR) (10-5) 2nd of 12, 5l behind Bel La Vie (10-5) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 3f 4yo hdl Grd 1 hvy in Nov.
Silviniaco Conti (FR) 10-3 (11-4) Raced on inside, tracked leaders and always travelling well, went 2nd 4 out, led on bit before next, came clear from 2 out, very easily, won at Ascot 2m 3f hdl G2 (1) gs in Nov beating Karabak (11-0) by 7l, 8 ran.
Clerk's Choice (IRE) 10-11fav (11-2) Held up in rear, headway on outside after 4 out, effort 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, kept on flat, no impression, 4th of 5, 5l behind Carlito Brigante (11-6) at Haydock 2m 4yo hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Cue Card 8-13fav (11-7) Settled in 3rd place, not fluent 3rd, tracked leader on bit soon after 3 out, challenged 2 out, led between last 2, soon quickened right away, impressive, won at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Nov beating Dunraven Storm (11-7) by 8l, 7 ran.
Menorah (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Raced wide, hit 1st, held up towards rear, headway on outside before 4th, chased leaders and hit 3 out, led after 2 out, idled towrads finish, held on gamely close home, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Nov beating Bothy (9-13) by nk, 17 ran.
Astracad (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Blundered 1st, in rear, headway after 4 out, slightly hampered 3 out, weakened soon after, 8th of 17, 27l behind Menorah (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Nov.
Der Spieler (GER) 25-1 (11-2) Held up in last, 4th before 3 out, ridden into 3rd before 2 out, stayed on to 2nd before last, no impression winner, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Gimli's Rock (11-2) at Down Royal 2m hdl G2 (1) in Nov.
Liberty Seeker (FR) 13-2 (10-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner from 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 4, 11l behind Hernando's Boy (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f clm hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Nicene Creed 9-4 (11-4) In touch, chased leaders approaching 7th, ridden after 2 out, chased leader from last, kept on to lead close home, won at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Bally Legend (10-7) by shd, 14 ran.
