last trio, mistake 5th, tailed off in 5th when untidy 3 out, never a factor
slight lead after 1st, ridden and headed on long run before last, soon no chance with easy winner, plugged on for clear 2nd
held up in last pair, steady headway into 4th at 9th, 2nd on bit bypassing omitted 4 out, challenged and hit 2 out, led on long run before last, clear when hit last, ridden out, easily
slight lead until after 1st, pressed leader until dropped to 3rd and pushed along after 9th, struggling in 4th and no chance with leading trio soon after
chased leading pair until after 4th, chased leaders until lost place before 7th, soon behind, tailed off next
held up in touch, pushed along before weakened 9th, tailed off
tracked leading trio, went 3rd after 4th, 2nd after 9th until bypassing omitted next, chased leading pair, not fluent 3 out, pushed along and one pace before next
in rear, tailled off and pulled up soon after 3 out
It's almost three years since Destroyer Deployed last won over hurdles and he's hard to predict nowadays. Vision Du Coeur was raised 8lb for a recent win over course and distance and Drombeg West has been climbing the weights despite not winning but Imperial Vic could go well if handling the switch back to hurdles as he's well treated on his chase form. OLIVER'S HILL never threatened and was pulled up on his reappearance at Kempton and he fell when favourite here last May. But the handicapper has given him a chance in this if back to his best so he gets a tentative vote.
Destroyer Deployed 20-1 (9-7) In touch on outside, pressed leader from 6th, blundered 4 out, lost place 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 17, 20l behind Sybarite (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Oliver's Hill (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Towards rear, struggling 3out and pulled up, in a race won by Alternatif (11-3) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Vision Du Coeur (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Held up, hit 4th, headway 6th, hit 8th, hampered after 9th, went 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, ridden clear when awkward last, won at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft beating Gilzean (10-12) by 8l, 8 ran.
Imperial Vic (IRE) 3-1fav (10-10) Held up towards rear, tracked leaders before 4th, pushed along before 12th, weakened before 4 out, jumped badly right 2 out, 6th of 10, well behind Carlito Brigante (11-12) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Oct.
Abruzzi 14-1 (11-12) Led, headed narrowly 6th, ridden when weakened 2 out, 7th of 9, 34l behind Cyclop (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Freddy Fox (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Prominent, not fluent 6th, pushed along before next, no chance with winner from 2 out, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 10, 21l behind Delgany Demon (10-12) at Southwell 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Aviador (GER) 20-1 (10-4) Prominent, led 5th, soon headed, led again next, every chance 3 out, weakening when mistake last, 8th of 17, 18l behind Mister Newby (11-9) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Drombeg West 16-1 (10-6) In rear, headway 3 out, ridden to chase winner next, kept on one pace flat, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Cyclop (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
