tracked leader, led 3rd, headed 3 out, ridden and weakened before last
held up behind, weakened from 3 out, tailed off, pulled up
tracked leaders, led before last, headed last, no extra
held up behind, blundered 1st, jumped slow 3rd, pushed along before 2 out, never dangerous
held up in rear, headway before 2 out, went 3rd before last, kept on
tracked leaders, mistake 2 out and outpaced, ridden before last, led last, kept on well
held up mid-division, soon tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed before last, soon weakened
led to 2nd, mid-division, outpaced 3 out, kept on before last
led from 2nd, headed 3rd, weakened from 3rd
John Ferguson found plenty of soft targets for his choicely-bred string last summer and MONDLICHT looks to be following that particular pattern here. Unbeaten on the Flat in two starts, he emerged a beaten favourite when having his attentions turned to hurdling last season, showing definite promise nevertheless. He's been given a lengthy break by connections who appear to have found the ideal contest for his return to action. Astrum looks the main danger on the basis of three runner-up efforts on his last four starts whilst Destiny Awaits and Tickenwolf have shown enough on latest outings to suggest they're the potential each-way plays of the contest. Johnny Go, moderately progressive in bumpers, now makes his hurdling debut.
Astrum 11-4 (10-12) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd before 5th, challenged before last, soon one pace, ridden and no impression with winner flat, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Octagon (10-12) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Cobh National (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Led, jumped badly 1st and next, veered badly right and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Go Odee Go (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd, 6 ran.
Destiny Awaits (IRE) 3-1fav (10-3) Mid-division, closed from 3rd, close 5th 2 out, no extra flat, 5th of 8, 11l behind Seventeen Black (10-3) at Perth 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft.
Johnny Go 20-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd over 5f out, soon challenged, one pace 2f out, ridden and no chance with winner when edged left final furlong, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Ryedale Racer (10-12) at Hexham 2m NH flat (6) hvy.
Mondlicht (USA) 2-1fav (10-11) Tracked leader, not fluent 2nd, led 3 out, headed before last, soon beaten, edged left and one pace flat, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Gran Maestro (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Tickenwolf (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 21l behind Sharp Rise (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft.
Touch Of Steel (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Chased leaders until not fluent 6th, soon struggling, 5th of 6, well behind Major Ivan (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Latest Fashion (IRE) 66-1 (9-9) Always behind, weakened from 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 13, 49l behind Danceintothelight (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gf in Apr.
Suzy's Music (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Rr of mid div, drpd to last 5th, last 1/2way, det 9th, nvr a factor, eased & pu 7th, in a race won by Howwouldsheno (11-11) at Taylorstown 3m ire ptp gs, 16 ran.
Anzinger (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Chsd ldrs til wknd aft 3 out, 4th of 9, 38l behind Chaz Michaels (11-7) at Haydon 3m ptp.