tracked leader, not fluent 11th, led after 14th, sluggish jump when headed 4 out, again 3 out, soon beaten, disputing 2nd when fell heavily 2 out
held up behind leaders, not fluent 12th, clear 3rd after next, closed to lead 4 out, jumped right final 3, clear 2 out, stayed on
not always fluent, held up behind leaders, weakened after 14th, left poor 3rd, hampered 2 out
led, ridden, headed after 14th, beaten before 4 out, disputing 2nd when left clear in that position 2 out, no chance with winner
BALLYDUB really ought to be good enough to take this small field staying chase, while Kilvergan Boy looks the one for the forecast. Although thrashed in the Pertemps Final when last seen in March, Ballydub had otherwise enjoyed a good campaign over hurdles for Philip Hobbs last season, winning at Newbury, being placed twice in better company than this, and falling when still going well enough in his other run. He has bags of stamina and acts on decent ground, while he can also go well when fresh. With the yard in form there is plenty in his favour, and he is around a stone better than any of these over hurdles, so we will side with him. Kilvergan Boy was next-best over the smaller obstacles and won a Towcester novices' hurdle in January, though disappointed under penalties thereafter. Chasing always looked likely to be his game and he should know plenty about his job before this first run, so he can go well. Hunters Ploy showed little after a Uttoxeter maiden win a year or so ago and has a fair bit to find here, while Plane Painter showed that he was going the right way over the bigger obstacles at Hexham last time, but it was a poor race and he faced nothing of the quality of Ballydub, who is our pick.
Ballydub (IRE) 7-1fav (11-2) Chased leaders, lost place approaching 7th, never in contention after, well beaten when badly hampered last, 12th of 22, 38l behind Kayf Aramis (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Hunters Ploy (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Held up, ridden 5th, effort 8th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 15, 30l behind Aqualung (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Kilvergan Boy (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Chased leaders in 4th, driven and weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 6, 48l behind Michel Le Bon (11-8) at Newbury 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Plane Painter (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Led, headed approaching last, weakened flat, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Western Gale (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f nov stks (3) gf.
