jumped well, led until after 2nd, mostly chased leader until led again before 2 out, going clear when left further clear at the last, impressive
chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out
tracked leaders in 4th, mistake 5th, not fluent 8th, bit awkward 3 out, went 2nd home turn, held when blundered and unseated rider at the last
chased leaders on inside, bad mistake and lost place 6th, rallied 9th, awkward and weakened 3 out
chased leader on inside, led after 2nd, ridden and headed before 2 out, lost 2nd and weakened home turn, left modest 3rd at the last
waited with in rear, steady headway on heels of leaders 9th, switched right travelling well after 3 out, not much room turning in, left 2nd at the last, no chance with impressive winner
NonRunner
Pentland Hills, a Grade 1 winner over hurdles, enjoyed a walkover on his chasing bow having won earlier on the Flat. He’s thrown in at the deep end here but should hold his own if he jumps well. Sole Pretender looks a bit exposed while smart hurdlers Glory And Fortune and Monmiral are going over the larger obstacles for the first time but would have every chance with a clear round. TOMMY’S OSCAR only won a match at Carlisle but gave a far more experienced opponent 17lb and jumped very well. He finished behind Glory And Fortune in the Champion Hurdle here in March but wasn’t at his best that day and looks a real chasing type. Banbridge won over 2m4f at Gowran and some of these may be too fleet-footed for Joseph O’Brien’s six-year-old in the closing stages.
Banbridge (IRE) 5-6fav (11-12) Made all, pressed before 3 out, asserted before next where 4 lengths lead, kept on well, comfortably, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Oct beating Indigo Breeze (11-12) by 8 1/2l, 6 ran.
Fusain (FR) 18-1 (10-12) Chased leader, went right 1st, pushed along before 3 out, weakened 3 out, last of 6, 20 1/4l behind Collingham (10-10) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Glory And Fortune (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along 2 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 5, 2 3/4l behind Effernock Fizz (10-6) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Pentland Hills (IRE) (11-2) won at Huntingdon 2m (3) gd in Oct.
Sole Pretender (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leader, led 3 out, headed final bend, 3rd and held flat, stayed on, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Straw Fan Jack (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m (2) gd in Oct.
Tommy's Oscar (IRE) 11-8 (11-10) Jumped well, tracked leader, pushed along before 2 out, upsides last, strong challenge run-in, driven ahead final strides, won at Carlisle 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Geromino (10-7) by hd, 2 ran.
Monmiral (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear on inside, ridden 3 out, staying on when mistake last, left 3rd soon after, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 14l behind Epatante (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
