tracked leader, disputed the lead after the 4th, led briefly after 2 out, shaken up and pressed run to the last, soon ridden and outpaced, weakened after the last
towards rear, in last when badly hampered by the faller 2 out, soon well-adrift and never involved
prominent and led early stages, disputed lead after the 4th, fell when disputing the lead 2 out
mid-division, travelling well and tracked leader after the 5th, shaken up to make challenge run to the last, every chance when pushed along and disputing the lead at the last, soon led and kept on well
towards rear, hampered by faller 2 out, ridden and outpaced approaching the last, kept on for 3rd but never dangerous
tracked leader, not fluent 3 out, moved into contention after 2 out, pulled clear and disputed lead at the last, ridden and unable to go on run-in
towards rear, headway and tracked leaders after 2 out, ridden approaching the last and no extra
tracked leaders, badly hampered by faller 2 out and unseated rider
NonRunner
NonRunner
Nicky Henderson has a strong hand with the highly-consistent Hooper, who seeks a hat-trick, and the very interesting French Crusader. The latter needs to be monitored extremely closely in the market on this first run since November 2019 when runner-up to that season's subsequent Champion Hurdle winner, Epatante. He is one to note whatever his fate here. Hooper seems sure to go well as he's ultra-consistent, whilst Elham Valley has an obvious chance against his elders after a cracking third in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap at the festival. However, OAKLEY (NAP) is the choice despite a high enough handicap mark. He hasn't won since 2019 and returns from a break but has competed with credit in some really hot handicap hurdles in the last couple of years and will appreciate the drop in class.
Oakley (IRE) 22-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, pushed along and lost 2nd next, weakened between last 2, 6th of 17, 16 1/2l behind Not So Sleepy (11-6) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) hvy in Dec.
Nelson River 80-1 (10-4) Always towards rear, 17th of 26, 25 1/4l behind Heaven Help Us (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Storm Rising (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, effort after 3 out, weakened before last, 4th of 12, 24l behind West To The Bridge (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Hooper 5-6fav (11-2) Held up in touch, chasing leader when ridden 2 out, hampered by faller last but left well clear, easily, won at Hereford 2m 4f (4) sft in Mar beating Aki Bomaye (11-2) by 26l, 14 ran.
Elham Valley (FR) 66-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway when not clear run between last 2, soon switched left, only 6th jumping the last, stayed on strongly towards finish, never nearer, 3rd of 22, 2 1/2l behind Jeff Kidder (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Nordic Combined (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Tracked leading pair, 2nd going well before 3 out until next, went 2nd again before the last, ridden and no chance with winner run-in, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Vision Du Puy (10-13) at Haydock 2m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Speed Company (IRE) 9-2 (9-13) Close up in 4th, pushed along over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to go poor 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 4, 6 1/2l behind Charlie Arthur (9-10) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Sarasota Star (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Midfield, ridden and kept on before 2 out, went third after 2 out, stayed on but no impression close home, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Xcitations (11-8) at Fakenham 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Zurekin (IRE) (11-0) 4th of 7, 9 3/4l behind Corazones (10-12) at Auteuil 2m 3f lst hvy in Apr.
French Crusader (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, led before 2 out, headed last, stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Epatante (11-6) at Newbury 2m hcp lst (1) gs in Nov.
