led, hit 2nd, went clear 7th until 10th, mistake next, went right 2 out, headed last, kept on but flattered by proximity to winner
never fluent, always last, not fluent 5th, hit 4 out, outpaced when mistake next
tracked leader who went clear 7th, slight peck 3rd, closer 10th, switched right approaching 2 out, led last, always in control run-in, cleverly
Darlac, last seen in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham, won his maiden over hurdles here a year ago and has pointing experience. TOMMY RAPPER ran twice over fences last year and wasn’t disgraced in either. He reverted to hurdles in the spring and was placed in a Grade 3 handicap at Aintree and can open his account over the bigger obstacles today with Neachells Bridge not being quite as good over timber as his two rivals, though still having the scope to make a chaser.
Darlac (FR) 100-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, lost place 4 out, behind from next, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar.
Neachells Bridge (IRE) 9-2fav (11-8) Mid-division, not fluent 8th, every chance 2 out, not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Teescomponents Lad (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Tommy Rapper (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 2nd flat, stayed on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 21, 4 1/2l behind Aux Ptits Soins (11-8) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
