held up towards rear, struggling 10th, no chance with leaders after, tailed off
tracked leaders until blundered and rider lost iron 8th, not recover, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, went 2nd 2 out, soon challenged, upsides last, ridden and every chance flat, kept on, just held towards finish
led to 4th, tracked winner, driven and one pace before last, no impression with front pair flat
held up in touch, tracked leaders 9th, effort on outside approaching 2 out, soon driven and one pace, ridden after last, no impression in 4th flat
soon pressed leader, led 4th, made most after, blundered 3 out, driven and hard pressed after next, ridden after last, held on gamely flat
always in rear, lost touch after 4th, soon tailed off, eventually completed
Sceau Royal was a smart hurdler and only had to be pushed out to beat Ballyhill on his fencing bow at Warwick. He should confirm that form, despite worse terms, but is giving 5lb to another potentially useful recruit to chasing in MOVEWITHTHETIMES (NAP). Paul Nicholls' six-year-old only ran four times over hurdles but showed his potential when second to Ballyandy in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury in February and his trainer believes he is a top-class prospect. North Hill Harvey has won twice here over hurdles, including last year's Greatwood, and adds to the interest but this looks a big ask for Chitu and Mick Thonic conceding plenty of weight.
Chitu (IRE) 5-4 (11-12) Led 1st, edged left and drew clear flat, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Towcester 2m (4) gf in Oct beating Gibson Park (10-4) by 7l, 5 ran.
Mick Thonic (FR) 4-1 (11-6) Tracked leading pair, disputing close 2nd when stumbled on landing and unseated rider 3 out (normal 4 out), at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gf in Oct.
Sceau Royal (FR) 1-3fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd from 6 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, readily, won at Warwick 2m (4) gd in Oct beating Ballyhill (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Ballyhill (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Led, not fluent 6 out, headed after 2 out, kept on and always well held run-in, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Sceau Royal (11-0) at Warwick 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Movewiththetimes (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, joined winner approaching next, every chance last, soon ridden, hung left and kept on under pressure flat, held closing stages, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Ballyandy (11-1) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) sft in Feb.
North Hill Harvey 9-1 (11-12) Towards rear, headway after 3 out, ridden and one pace after next, never reached leaders, 11th of 22, 17 3/4l behind Rather Be (11-2) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Presenting William (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) (tt) chsd ldrs til fell 3 out, at Bredwardine 3m gd in May.
