in touch, mistake 2nd, ridden 4 out, led soon after 3 out, blundered and headed 2 out, hung left and hit rail approaching last, driven and one pace
keen, tracked leader till 5th, remained in touch, ridden 4 out, outpaced before 2 out, driven and kept on flat
mid-division, ridden and weakened 4 out
led, mistake and headed 3 out, ridden and soon weakened
in rear, ridden and weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, chased leader 5th, ridden and led 3 out, soon headed and weakened next
held up, headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, mistake last, driven and stayed on
keen in touch, went 3rd 4 out, effort when hit 2 out, soon chased winner, 2 lengths down when blundered last, kept on one pace
Nonrunner
You oppose a decent one from Paul Nicholls at your peril, and so we'll support ART TREND here, who can get the better of main dangers Martin's Friend and Tri Nations. The selection was very disappointing in a similar contest last time out after previously winning a maiden hurdle, and the concern would be if there's too much rain, as he prefers it fast. We certainly wouldn't take too short a price. Martin's Friend is an American bred colt who's yet to justify a big price paid for him a couple of years ago and who hasn't been able to replicate previous good form on the flat in Germany. He'll want a quick track too. Tri Nations has yet to translate winning flat form to hurdles, but shaped nicely when third last time out. Bridge Of Fermoy more than paid his way on the flat for Gay Kellaway, particularly on the all-weather, but is now in the hands of Dan O'Brien for his hurdling debut. It's a tricky little contest this, but Art Trend looks to be the one to be on.
Art Trend (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Took keen hold, tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, 43l behind Tobago Bay (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Laconicos (IRE) 11-2 (10-1) Raced in 4th place, ridden after 8th, 8 lengths 4th when fell 4 out, in a race won by Sumdancer (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Apr, 5 ran.
Would I Lie To You 50-1 (10-11) Took keen hold in rear, struggling over 4f out, tailed off final 3f, 16th of 17, well behind Ellen Tilley (10-6) at Huntingdon 2m cond NH flat (5) gs in Dec.
Bridge of Fermoy (IRE) 17-2 (9-1) Held up behind mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no progress, 9th of 13, 6l behind Ergo (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb (flat).
Dr Brass 25-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 11, 10l behind Nordwind (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 4yo mdn stks (4) gs in Mar.
Gospel Spirit 50-1 (10-8) Always in rear, 8th of 9, 34l behind Moment Present (10-8) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Martin's Friend (USA) 11-1 (10-7) Led, headed approaching 2nd, chased leader, led and hit 5th, headed after 3 out, soon ridden and weakening, left 2nd 2 out, kept on and lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 8, 24l behind Monterrico (10-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Tri Nations (UAE) 4-1 (10-12) Held up, headway after 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Erzen (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Chalentina 200-1 (10-2) Close up, hit 1st, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 9, 25l behind Moment Present (10-8) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Aviemore 66-1 (10-6) In touch, mistake 4th, ridden, weakened 10th, 4th of 7, well behind Shergill (10-13) at Fakenham 2m 7f nh nov hdl (3) gf.
