chased leaders, hit 11th, outpaced after 4 out, weakened before 2 out
led, not fluent 3rd, ridden after 2 out, headed last, held flat
chased leader, not fluent 12th, led last, cajoled along and in command flat
HIDDEN COMMANDER has won both starts over fences having added to an earlier success here with a recent victory at Ayr. He may well defy a further rise in the weights with more to come over this extra distance. Castletown is not badly treated on his hurdling form though has yet to win over fences in 22 previous attempts while Deluxe Range has only won a novice hurdle so far and that was back in 2020.
Deluxe Range (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Midfield, nudged along 8th, headway before 3 out, pushed along approaching next, ridden after last, kept on, 4th of 9, 9 1/4l behind Stringtoyourbow (10-4) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Hidden Commander (IRE) 2-5fav (11-3) Close up, jumped well, led before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, good jump last and stayed on well to hold on run-in, won at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Apr beating Caboy (11-6) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Castletown (FR) 10-1 (10-2) Mid-division on outside, headway under pressure 2 out, every chance last, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Half Shot (10-9) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
