led, headed 3rd, ridden 6th, soon outpaced, staying on to chase clear pair from next, still plenty to do, 5 lengths down approaching last, led close home
held up, headway 6th, joined leader 3 out, ridden 2 out, weakened last
held up when mistake 4th, never on terms
held up, headway 6th, ridden 4 out, kept on
tracked leader, jumped slowly and lost place 3rd, behind before pulled up 3 out
soon detached and struggling, continued
tracked leader, led 3rd, fell 6th
tracked leaders, hampered and left in lead 6th, ridden and not fluent 2 out, all out and wandering when headed close home
My Way de Solzen gets the vote in this grade 2 hurdle with Lough Derg and Elusive Dream heading the list of dangers. The selection has been slightly disappointing over fences of late but his enthusiasm could be rekindled for the switch back to hurdles and with the ground given as good at the time of writing and remains on the fast side he will be hard to beat and looks a value bet. Lough Derg rates the main danger on his latest second behind Kasbah Bliss but although he has won over this distance his very best form is over a longer trip and he looks opposable on that basis. Elusive Dream slammed moderate rivals last time out but will find this much tougher. However if things go his way he would be a danger to all but that is a big if. Flight Leader was a fair fourth behind Wichita Lineman when last seen at last year's Cheltenham Festival. However the suspicion is he may need the run after a 345 day break. Refinement is game and consistent and is sure to run her race but she usually struggles in this class while Ashley Brook is another that reverts to hurdles but the suspicion is this is for a confidence booster and with this in mind we return to My Way de Solzen as our idea of the winner.
Lough Derg (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Led, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, headed after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Kasbah Bliss (11-12) at Haydock 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs.
Elusive Dream 4-7fav (11-8) Always prominent, led 3 out, soon clear, won at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gd beating Busker Royal (11-0) by 13l, 5 ran.
Flight Leader (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 7th, outpaced and hampered 3 out, stayed on again approaching last, 4th of 20, 20l behind Wichita Lineman (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Mar.
Refinement (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, reminders after 4th, headway 6th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on under pressure approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Labelthou (11-5) at Ascot 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Ashley Brook (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Chased winner, lost place approaching 3rd, behind when pulled up at the 6th in race won by Tamarinbleu (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f chs Grd 1 (1) sft in Jan, 6 ran.
Canni Thinkaar (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Led, headed after 1st, weakened 4 out, 9th of 14, 38l behind Ede's (10-8) at Plumpton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft.
Gold Gun (USA) 20-1 (10-4) Held up in touch, under pressure after 7th, ridden to challenge next, soon one pace, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Lough Derg (11-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
My Way de Solzen (FR) 13-2 (11-10) Held up behind leaders, struggling 11th, not fluent next and pulled up at the 13th in race won by Kauto Star (11-10) at Kempton 3m chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec, 7 ran.
