chased leading pair, ridden and lost touch from 4f out
chased winner, ridden and effort approaching 4f out, soon no chance with winner
jumped well, made all, clear throughout, impressive
This looks a match between Nyrche and Simoun and the narrow vote is given to Nyrche. The selection is proven in the conditions and was a fair fourth in a grade 2 hurdle behind Mighty Man. He is sure to have been well schooled for this his chase debut and he need only put in a clear round to score. Simoun rates the main danger as he was also a fair hurdler at his best but he is very lightly raced of late and although he hails from a top yard he looks worth opposing at likely odds on this his first run since February. Flame Phoenix was behind the selection when they last met over hurdles and he will need to improve significantly for the switch to fences to gain his revenge but we do not think he will improve that much and for the winner we return to Nyrche.
Flame Phoenix (USA) 10-1 In touch, ridden after 5th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 11, 18l behind Nyrche at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in Mar.
Simoun (IRE) 13-2 Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Spring Pursuit at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gs in Feb, 11 ran.
Nyrche (FR) 7-1 Held up, headway 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 7, 33l behind Mighty Man at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gd.
