tracked leaders, led 6th, headed before next, hung right approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, mistake 5th, behind 7th, mistake 2 out
held up in rear, jumped left and rider lost iron briefly 3rd, behind from 7th
led, hit 5th, headed next, lost place approaching 7th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
raced keenly, mid-division, headway approaching 7th, stumbled after 3 out, weakened 2 out, mistake last
tracked leaders, lost place approaching 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always towards rear
in touch, closed after 5th, led before awkward 7th, headed 3 out, still every chance before 2 out, outpaced by winner approaching last, closed flat, flattered
held up towards rear, headway after 7th, led approaching 2 out, came wide and asserted between last 2, 6 lengths ahead last, readily
pressed leader, hit 7th, led 3 out, headed before 2 out, weakened before jumping left last
The Paul Nicholls-trained Elusive Dream has looked a decent recruit to the novice hurdling ranks in winning his two starts so far at Market Rasen and Chepstow and he is taken to make it three out of three here, getting the vote ahead of Nenuphar Collonges and Olmeto Collonges. The last mentioned showed improved form on his debut effort for Henrietta Knight last term and could be of interest on his reappearance but would need to improve to trouble the selection. Carys's Lad won nicely enough at Uttoxeter last time but this is tougher, while Commander Kev has ability but looks booked for a place at best. Nenuphar Collonges showed progressive form over fences last term and has to be of interest back over hurdles today but Elusive Dream sets a decent standard and he gets the vote.
Elusive Dream 8-13fav (11-4) Tracked leader, headway and led after 7th, ridden and clear when jumped left 2 out, won at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct beating Presenting Copper (10-11) by 16l, 8 ran.
Carys's Lad 7-2fav (10-12) In rear of main group, progress 4th, led 7th, in command 2 out, kept on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf beating Timetwogo (10-2) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Olmeto Collonges (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leader throughout, ridden last, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gs in May beating Shouldhavehadthat (11-6) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Charming Oscar (IRE) 15-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders, left in lead after 4f, ridden, headed 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 10, 23l behind The Tother One (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gd in Apr.
Commander Kev (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, chased leading pair 2 out, left moderate 2nd last, lost 2nd last strides, 3rd of 17, 12l behind Snap Tie (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Finnegans Rainbow 66-1 (10-9) Mid-division, effort 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 10, 24l behind Minaad (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd.
Mokum (FR) 7-2fav (11-7) Held up, headway from 3 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, one pace and no impression flat, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Denvale (10-13) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Nenuphar Collonges (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders throughout, ridden and outpaced 4 out, chased leader next, kept on all out to lead flat, won at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs (2) sft in Mar beating Fast Forward (11-1) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Razor Royale (IRE) 9-4fav (11-7) Led, ridden clear over 2f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 16, 1l behind Oberon Moon (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nhf (4) gd in Oct.
What A Buzz 13-2 (10-8) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway 5f out, ridden over 3f out, no further progress and weakened from 2f out, 7th of 14, 10l behind Cry Alot Boy (10-4) at Lingfield 2m nhf (6) pol in Mar.
