led, not fluent 2nd, ridden and headed before last, soon 3rd and beaten, stayed on one pace
tracked leaders, challenged off last bend, shaken up when not fluent last, no impression on winner flat, kept on
raced quite keenly, tracked leader, led before last, drew clear final 200 yards, not extended
always last, hit 3rd, ridden after 2 out, weakened before last
APPLE’S SHAKIRA will be a very warm order in this running in the same colours as last year’s winner, who went on to win the Triumph Hurdle itself. She hammered another well-regarded juvenile in a Grade 2 here last month and the sky is the limit for Nicky Henderson’s filly. Nube Negra beat Knight Destroyer by nine lengths on debut at Market Rasen. The latter is 6lb better off but may struggle to turn the tables. Tamayef was beaten 26 lengths in a modest affair at Ludlow and is probably just making up the numbers.
Knight Destroyer (IRE) 2-9fav (11-4) Led, mistake 2nd, hit 3 out, ridden and headed last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Nube Negra (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gs in Nov.
Nube Negra (SPA) 15-2 (10-12) Awkward and hit 1st, tracked leaders, went 2nd long run to 2 out, led last, ridden and ran on, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gs in Nov beating Knight Destroyer (11-4) by 9l, 7 ran.
Apple's Shakira (FR) Evensfav (10-5) Tracked leader, led going well between last 2, came towards stands side rail before last, drew readily clear flat, impressive, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Nov beating Gumball (10-12) by 17l, 6 ran.
Tamayef (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear on outside, headway after 4 out, 4th and beaten next, 4th of 8, 25 3/4l behind Phoenix Dawn (10-12) at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Nov.
