chased leaders, hit 2 out, soon led, mistake last, driven out
keen, chased leader, mistake 5th, ridden to lead when stumbled 2 out, soon headed, one pace flat
always behind
held up, effort approaching 5th, weakened next
led, hit 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakend last
behind, poor 5th when pulled up after 3 out
Darrias has not done a great deal wrong over hurdles so far and is fit and proven over timber but Masafi looks a potentially smart recruit to the hurdling ranks and is preferred with Kylebeg Dancer rated the best of the remainder. The selection was decent on the level with Sir Mark Prescott and is the latest in a long line of expensive Graham Wylie purchases out of that stable so it would come as no surprise to see him prove to be more than useful. Convent Girl does not look to be as good over hurdles as she was on the level and is becoming frustrating. Nerys Dutfield's mare still makes more appeal than the fully exposed Simonovski, while Aoninch showed little sigh of ability on his only previous start over timber and Sir Haydn makes limited appeal first time out over hurdles. Masafi looks a likely type though and gets the vote to make a winning debut over timber.
Darrias (GER) 14-1 (11-3) Behind, headway from 3 out, ridden and ran on flat, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 14l behind Admiral (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4yo hcp hdl (B) gs.
Masafi (IRE) 4-5fav (10-0) Made all, ridden clear 3f out, stayed on well under pressure from 2f out, won at Down Royal 1m 5f stk frm in Sept beating Swiss Cottage (9-8) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran (Flat).
Simonovski (USA) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went prominent 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 30l behind Schapiro (11-11) at Newbury 2m 3f 4yo nov hcp hdl (D) gs in Apr.
Sir Haydn 40-1 (11-0) In rear, ridden and lost touch 4 out, 6th of 8, well behind Marcel (11-8) at Kempton 2m lst nov hdl (A) gs.
Kylebeg Dancer (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Led and clear, reduced lead 6 out, slight mistake and headed next, dropped to 7th before straight, kept on without threatening, 3rd of 18, 16l behind Sky's The Limit (11-0) at Limerick 2m 2f 4yo hdl gs.
Aoninch 7-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, some headway 7th, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 22l behind Cherokee Bay (11-3) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Convent Girl (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Held up, headway to track leaders after 4th, led on bit after 3 out, ridden after next, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Zarakash (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gf in Jul.
