in rear, pushed along and weakening when hit 6 out, pulled up
close up, led 5th, headed 6th, weakened from 4 out
tracked leaders, led 4 out, clear before 2 out
led to 5th, remained close up, led again 6th, headed 4 out, one pace and no impression
tracked leaders in 3rd, one pace from 4 out
A classy contest in which punters should exercise a level of caution with four of the quintet yet to jump a fence in public. Vintage Clouds is the one with chasing experience, gained when hunting up Briery Belle at Carlisle this month. He's sure to improve for the run and has always looked an embryonic chaser but similar comments can be attributed to all four rivals, His stable companion, Delusionofgrandeur, was over the top when disappointing on his final start last term but was otherwise progressive, as were the lightly-raced Aqua Dude and Politologue. However, Davy Russell is an eye-catching booking for WELSH SHADOW, whose fitness is guaranteed after an excellent runner-up effort behind the talented Garde La Victoire in the Welsh Champion Hurdle last month. His hurdling form was of a strong level and he seems destined to do well over fences too.
Aqua Dude (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge after 3 out, every chance next, led before last, driven out, won at Southwell 2m 4f (4) sft in Mar beating Present View (11-1) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Delusionofgrandeur (IRE) 9-4 (11-8) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon no chance with front pair, lost modest 3rd after last, 4th of 5, dist behind Tomngerry (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 6f (3) gs in Feb.
Politologue (FR) 9-1 (10-10) In touch on outside, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, weakened before last, 20th of 26, 19 3/4l behind Diamond King (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Vintage Clouds (IRE) 2-1fav (11-2) Chased winner, ridden before 2 out, kept on and well held, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Briery Belle (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 4f (3) gd in Nov.
Welsh Shadow (IRE) 15-8fav (11-2) Held up, in touch, headway when blundered 4 out, chased winner before next, soon driven and one pace, ridden after next, kept on, always held, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Garde La Victoire (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
