chased winner until approaching 2 out, soon outpaced, stayed on approaching last, kept on flat
held up in rear, headway after 3 out, chased winner approaching 2 out until before last, soon beaten
held up, behind, raced keenly, headway approaching 2 out, disputed 2nd between last 2 soon held, 3rd when not fluent last
mid-division, moved closer after 3rd, chased winner between last 2, 3 lengths down last, soon no impression
not always fluent, mid-division, moved closer approaching 4th, weakened approaching 2 out
mostly 3rd until went badly lame, pulled up before 3 out
made all, clear 3 out until 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on strongly, drew clear again flat
Macs Joy, Sublimity and Katchit look the trio for the shortlist and we are with Macs Joy. Jessica Harrington's charge has proven top grade form in Ireland and with the trainer electing to miss a hot race in Ireland to take this engagement, he could be worth a play at the likely odds. The ground should not inconvenience and if he is over his muscular troubles of last year, he has to go close. Sublimity has been reported as not being fully wound up for this assignment. The reigning champion hurdler won readily at the festival last season and it will be interesting to see how the on-course market reacts on Saturday. Katchit has questions to answer after being comprehensively outpointed by Harchibald. A tough battler, it would be folly to disregard him on the evidence of one run. Afsoun has appeared to fall between two stools as far as trip is concerned. He looks high class but probably needs to find a few pounds to be making it count at this level. Straw Bear is the forgotten horse at this grade. He bled in the Champion Hurdle but has pleased Nick Gifford on the gallops . Penzance looks outclassed. Osana makes the leap from handicaps into graded sphere. Desert Quest has been busy over chase fences of late and attempts to pot hunt today. A good renewal with Macs Joy selected at juicy odds.
Afsoun (FR) 9-4fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, led going well 2 out, headed flat, no extra close home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Hardy Eustace (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Straw Bear (USA) 7-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 5th, lost action and pulled up 3 out in race won by Sublimity (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Mar, 10 ran.
Sublimity (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Held up last, steady headway from 5th, tracked leading pair from 3 out, led and hit last, driven and quicken clear flat, won at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Mar beating Brave Inca (11-10) by 3l, 10 ran.
Katchit (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) In touch, led 4 out, ridden and headed last, no extra flat, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Harchibald (11-7) at Newcastle 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs.
Penzance 22-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 13th of 23, 14l behind Leslingtaylor (9-11) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in May.
Desert Quest (IRE) 2-9fav (11-6) In touch, led 8th, shaken up approaching last, eased flat, comfortably, won at Fakenham 2m nov chs (3) gs beating Space Cowboy (11-6) by 12l, 6 ran.
Macs Joy (IRE) 9-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden 2 out, no impression from last, one pace, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Jazz Messenger (11-10) at Punchestown 2m hdl Grd 1 sft in Nov.
Osana (FR) 8-1 (11-12) In touch, headway 5th, narrow lead 3 out to 2 out, regained lead between last 2, headed last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 19, 4l behind Sizing Europe (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
