raced mainly in 3rd, lost position before 2 out and soon no impression, moderate 3rd again last, kept on same pace run-in and dropped to 4th at line
soon towards rear in 6th, closer in 4th approaching straight, 3rd 2 out, soon no impression, slight mistake last and one pace
raced in 2nd, pushed along and not match winner from 2 out, no impression when jumped right last, one pace
soon raced in 5th, slight mistake 3 out and pushed along, soon lost place, not much room approaching straight and stumbled slightly, soon no impression until 5th again and slight mistake last, kept on well without threatening run-in into 3rd at line
raced mainly in 4th, 5th approaching straight, no extra from before 2 out
made all, pushed along straight, ridden to assert from 2 out, stayed on well from before last
in rear, slightly slow in jumping and pushed along at stages, 6th approaching straight, no extra from before 2 out
Nichols Canyon has only ever raced once on this track landing the Grade 1 novice hurdle at this fixture in 2014. He's since won seven more times at the highest level including the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March before just failing to hold Unowhatimeanharry in the Champion Stayers at Aintree. Both of those races were on quicker ground than he'll face here but he has no problems with today's going and will take some beating. His former stable companion APPLE'S JADE has the advantage of a run where she showed herself as good as ever in beating Jer's Girl at Navan. She's now 8-12 over hurdles and this is her optimum trip as she showed when beating Airlie Beach 14l in the Grade 1 Mares' Champion Hurdle at Punchestown and her 7lb allowance can just swing this her way. Supasundae had his big day in the Coral Cup before just failing to hold Yanworth at Aintree while the front-running Cilaos Emery will be tackling this trip for the first time after making most in the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.
Cilaos Emery (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Disputed lead, headed and slight mistake 2nd, chased leaders after, moderate 3rd approaching straight, soon closed, challenged in 2nd approaching last where slight mistake, led and stayed on best from 100yds out, won at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr beating Melon (11-12) by 1l, 7 ran.
Mick Jazz (FR) 7-1 (11-2) Held up, 5th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, closer in 4th next, ridden before last, under pressure in 3rd last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 6, 5 1/4l behind Melon (11-2) at Down Royal 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Nichols Canyon 7-4fav (11-10) Mid-division, 7th from 5th, closed 3 out, 3rd next, 2nd before straight travelling smoothly, challenged at last, every chance and stayed on well run-in, just failed, 2nd of 12, hd behind Unowhatimeanharry (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Supasundae 5-1 (11-7) In rear, headway before 4 out, ridden to challenge from 2 out, every chance run-in, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Yanworth (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gd in Apr.
Swamp Fox (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Chased leader in 2nd, dropped to 3rd after 3rd, pushed along from 5th and dropped to rear before next, no extra from 2 out, left in 3rd at last, 3rd of 4, dist behind Faugheen (11-10) at Punchestown 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Apple's Jade (FR) 8-15fav (11-5) Made all, jumped right, pushed along and 2 lengths lead last, kept on well run-in, won at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Jer's Girl (10-12) by 2l, 4 ran.
Augusta Kate 7-2 (11-7) Held up towards rear, switched left after 4 out and closer order, moderate 4th before 2 out, soon no impression, slow jump at last and no extra, 5th of 7, 37 3/4l behind Apple's Jade (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
