held up in rear, smooth headway 3 out, joined leader next, led on bit between last 2, 6 lengths clear when hit last, easily
led narrowly, headed 3 out, 3rd and ridden after next, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner
tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 4 out, led next, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace, no chance with winner when lost 2nd flat
raced keenly, with leader, raced wide back straight, lost place after 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up in 4th, chased leading pair briefly when pecked 3 out, soon outpaced, no impression from next
Nonrunner
GRANDOUET is undeniably talented and his demolition of Kumbeshwar in Grade 1 company at the Punchestown festival last spring still burns in the memory. He was also third in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham and his form profile is by far the strongest. However, he does harbour the occasional blemish on his record and last time capsized two out when travelling strongly in behind eventual winner, Celestial Halo, in Wincanton's Elite Hurdle. Hopefully he can make amends. Domtaline was laid out at Chepstow last time and scored with any amount in hand. He looks on the upgrade and rates the danger, although Marsh Warbler is not discounted. Last season's Finale Hurdle winner warmed up for the new jumps campaign by scoring on the Fibresand and will arrive fit and ready to fire.
Grandouet (FR) 8-13fav (11-0) Tracked winner from 2nd, 1 length down and going well when fell 2 out, in a race won by Celestial Halo (11-10) at Wincanton 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gs, 5 ran.
Marsh Warbler 22-1 (10-13) Mistake 1st, tracked leaders on inside, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 15, 32l behind Al Ferof (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Domtaline (FR) 13-8fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, led after 1st, made rest, hit 4th, clear when hit 3 out, not fluent last, ridden out, won at Chepstow 2m Limited hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct beating Mr Harmoosh (11-0) by 9l, 6 ran.
No Planning 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 5th, pressed 2 out, kept on well from last, ridden out, won at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct beating Tindaro (11-0) by 4l, 13 ran.
Rigidity 7-1 (11-7) Chased leaders on outer, 4th halfway, ridden approaching 3 out, no extra after next, moderate 8th when mistake and unseated rider last, in a race won by Street Entertainer (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl gd in May, 13 ran.
First Fandango Evensfav (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from 4th, led narrowly 3 out, pressed before last, ridden run-in, kept on well towards finish, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd beating Rory Boy (9-12) by 4l, 5 ran.
