made all, pushed along 3 out, ridden and joined 2 out, hit last, driven out
tracked winner until after 3 out, weakened after next
chased leaders, shaken up approaching 5th, chased winner after 3 out, every chance 2 out, switched left approaching last, not quickened flat
held up in touch, headway 5th, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, no danger from next
held up, not fluent 1st, behind from 4th, tailed off when mistake and unseated rider last, remounted
soon behind, tailed off from 5th
Self Defense can beat Contraband and Back To Ben Alder in a competitive-looking handicap hurdle. Self Defense gave himself a lot to live up to after finishing fourth in last year's Champion Hurdle and has suffered as a result. Emma Lavelle's seven-year-old struggled in this season's renewal behind Hardy Eustace, but finally returned to something like his old form when accounting for Almaydan at Newbury less than three weeks ago. He is going to be difficult to place off his current mark but should have the legs of today's opposition at least and gets the vote. The main danger may come from Contraband who ran a blinder when caught on the line by Royal Shakespeare at Aintree a fortnight ago. He was beaten by Self Defense here in November though and may once again have to settle for second best. Back To Ben Alder has been lightly raced and is due to go chasing. He is expected to be a star in that sphere, and as he had the class to win over hurdles at Sandown, will figure here no doubt and makes a bit more appeal than Lacdoudal. On past form though there can only be one winner, and that is Self Defense.
