CUNNING CLARETS can make a winning start over hurdles at the expense of Battle Group and the penalised Going Wrong. Richard Fahey's gelding wasn't beaten far into fifth in the Grade Two bumper at Aintree back in April, a performance that augured well for the horse's future over obstacles. Prior to that Brian Hughes's mount had shown a liking for give underfoot with a debut second on heavy followed by a comfortable success on ground described as good to soft and with conditions here set to suit he looks primed to run a big race today. Lucinda Featherstone saddles Battle Group and this four-year-old should be fit and ready to go after a successful four race bumper campaign that ended with a creditable display at Cheltenham back in October. A bigger danger though may be Going Wrong, the only horse here to have tasted success over obstacles when gamely making all over further at Carlisle. That performance also showed the horse acts on soft ground but the worry today is the step back in trip and for that reason the horse is narrowly passed over. Other dangers may include Waldo Winchester who looks amongst the best of those with hurdle form and Benbens for the in-form Nigel Twiston-Davies yard, but that Aintree performance by Cunning Clarets swings the verdict in his favour today.
Going Wrong 11-1 (10-12) Made all, ridden and challenged before 2 out, stayed on well under pressure, won at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Wymott (10-12) by 2l, 14 ran.
Also Jo 100-1 (10-7) Led, headed 2 out, ridden and weakened approaching last, 5th of 10, 40l behind King Fontaine (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Battle Group 9-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, soon pressing leader, racing awkwardly after 5f, took narrow lead 5f out, headed over 3f out, veered left over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 14l behind Start Me Up (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m NH flat (4) gf in Oct.
Benbens (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, pushed along and hampered on inside over 5f out, soon weakened, 7th of 16, 16l behind Sherwani Wolf (11-4) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) sft.
Black Apache (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 13, 46l behind Sonowyouno (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Bubbly Breeze (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, pushed along after 2nd, weakened from next, 7th of 10, 23l behind Nocturnal Knight (10-12) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Comeththehour (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) Alw pr, rdn in cl 4th 2out, went 2nd bef last, ko, 2nd of 15, 5l behind Mighty Observer (12-0) at Ballingarry 3m ire ptp gd in Jun.
Cunning Clarets (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up on outer, headway to chase leaders over 6f out, kept on from over 1f out, 5th of 19, 11l behind Sitting Tennant (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) gs in Apr.
Donny Briggs 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost place 7th, soon struggling, behind from 3 out, 6th of 9, well behind Frankie Anson (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Harrys Double (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear and keen, hampered on rail after 5f, pushed along over 6f out, soon tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Last Of The Bunch (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) gf in Oct.
Kosta Brava (FR) 20-1 (10-12) With leader, weakened approaching 1 out, 8th of 12, 18l behind Skylancer (11-5) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Patriot (IRE) 7-2 (10-9) Prominent, joined leader 3 out, weakened between last 2, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Jumby Bay (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd.
Super Ally (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Soon steadied into mid-division, headway 9f out, outpaced 3f out unable to troubled leaders after, 6th of 13, 7l behind Bold Addition (10-9) at Aintree 2m 1f NH flat (4) gs in May.
Waldo Winchester (IRE) 80-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, outpaced 5th, kept on from last, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Skylancer (11-5) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
What A Steel (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened 2 out, 6th of 14, well behind Going Wrong (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Border Flora 28-1 (10-0) Behind, struggling 5th, kept on under pressure from 2 out, never near leaders, 4th of 11, 37l behind Soft Spoken Guy (10-9) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
