jumped left at times, led, mistake and headed 10th, soon led again, headed, weakened quickly and pulled up before 4 out
chased leader, led 10th, soon headed, not fluent 13th, ridden after next, every chance 4 out, well held by winner 2 out
chased leaders, raced keenly, went 2nd briefly 11th, mistake 14th, led before 4 out, clear 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on
THYME HILL, a dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles, should be much too good for his two rivals if his jumping is up to scratch. Press Your Luck easily beat Flash Collonges at Chepstow before whipping round at the start at Wetherby and unseating his rider, though the Nicholls runner is 8lb better off today.
Press Your Luck (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Whipped round and unseated rider as tapes rose, at Wetherby 3m (3) gs in Oct.
Flash Collonges (FR) 5-2 (11-4) Tracked winner until 8th, handy 3rd, went 2nd again 11th until before home turn, soon pushed along, went 2nd again 4 out, stayed on same pace no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 3, 5 1/2l behind Press Your Luck (11-4) at Chepstow 3m (2) gf in Oct.
Thyme Hill 3-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, pushed along after 4 out, outpaced before 3 out, went modest 3rd after 2 out, mistake last, dropped to 5th close home, 5th of 8, 22 1/4l behind Sire Du Berlais (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.