held up in touch, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on under pressure to go 3rd between last 2, no impression with 1st 2
tracked leader, led 3rd, hit and headed 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
led to 3rd, tracked leader, led again 3 out, held last, driven and kept on same pace last, no chance with winner
chased leaders, lost place 5th, soon behind, no danger after
held up behind, steady headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd next, led last, ridden clear flat, comfortably
held up, outpaced 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 2 out, soon lost place, weakened approaching last
If he is able to show his hurdling ability over fences then NOBLE ALAN is the one to be on here, while Knockavilla looks capable of going close. The selection has a 50 per cent strike rate thus far, with four wins from eight career starts in bumpers and over timber, and he was last seen when a comfortable scorer in the Scottish Champion Hurdle from a mark of 139. That is way better form than others here have recorded, and with a clear round he will be hard to beat. Knockavilla will find this plenty short enough these days, and will probably do better when asked to stay. He goes on any ground and is a respected opponent, but he does have at least 24lbs to find with the selection. Description acts well on good ground and is of similar hurdling ability to Knockavilla. Sue Smith's runner is another for whom longer trips are more likely to see him at his best and for today we are content to watch. James Lambe does pretty well with his raids here, but first-time blinkers will probably need a miraculous effect if Yachvili is to lower the colours of the favourite, while The Panama Kid will probably be better over these bigger obstacles and acts well on the ground, so he could be the real improver in the line-up. Noble Alan is a confident choice.
Description (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) With leader, led 4 out, headed next, left 2nd in last 2, mistake and weakened last, 5th of 8, 17l behind Grand Theatre (11-12) at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Fly To Dubai (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Mid-division, bad mistake and lost place 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Hotel Hilamar (11-12) at Tipperary 2m beg chs gf.
Knockavilla (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Held up, headway after 4 out, challenging when blundered 3 out, led last, headed flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Aldiruos (10-6) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Lindseyfield Lodge (IRE) 11-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, weakened approaching 6th, 9th of 15, 41l behind Mickmacmagoole (11-5) at Hexham 2m sell hdl (5) gf.
Noble Alan (GER) 17-2 (10-5) Held up behind, good headway before 3 out, led last, ridden out, won at Ayr 2m hcp hdl Gr2 (1) gd in Apr beating Secret Tune (10-4) by 2l, 14 ran.
The Panama Kid (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) In touch, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 11, 31l behind Kalellshan (11-6) at Sedgefield 2m noc chs (4) gf in Sep.
Below The Deck (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 6th 5 out, no impression approaching straight, 6th of 12, 24l behind Narquois (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 1f beg chs gf.
Yachvili (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden after 5th, outpaced 3 out, 3rd of 8, 16l behind Amalfi Coast (9-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Sep.
