led, nudged after 2 out, headed at last when ridden, kept on behind comfortable winner
towards rear, progress to track leaders jumping 3 out where slow, soon pushed and struggling to keep up, kept on one pace behind leading pair
close-up, 2nd jumping 2 out, smooth progress to join and head leader last, ridden clear, comfortably
close-up, pushed in 3rd after jumping 2 out, faded into 4th before last, well beaten
in rear, hit 4th, reminder after 5th, hit 6th, awkward 8th, unseated rider 2 out
Connections will be hoping that a drop in class will help Slanelough, who is 0-11 over fences, get off the mark but KNIGHT DESTROYER has more scope. Jonjo O’Neill’s novice won on heavy going over hurdles at Taunton in March and should make a chaser, though a lack of recent action would be a concern. Alrightjack wasn’t disgraced in a decent chase at Uttoxeter but this looks an insufficient test of stamina while Sao is still refusing to settle. Sophie Fatale has placed in all of her hurdle starts but is yet to win.
Slanelough (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Led, not fluent 6th, headed 4 out, still every chance last, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Flegmatik (10-13) at Carlisle 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Alrightjack (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Prominent, disputed lead after 3rd, ridden and effort 3 out, outpaced and faded 2 out, 6th of 18, 17l behind Demachine (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Sao (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Led and slightly keen, fell 6th, at Hexham 2m hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Knight Destroyer (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Chased leader, led after 4th, 3 lengths ahead last, driven out, won at Taunton 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Karakoram (11-11) by 2l, 11 ran.
Sophie Fatale 2-1 (10-5) Close up, mistake 3rd, ridden after two out, no extra, 3rd of 12, 11 1/4l behind On The Wild Side (11-5) at Hexham 2m (4) sft in Oct.
