close up in rear, hampered by faller 10th, still just in touch, not fluent 3 out and no real progress thereafter, plugged on and took 2nd run-in
led, bad mistake and unseated rider 10th
prominent, reminder 2nd, left in clear lead 10th, shaken up and in command approaching last, coasted home, comfortably
tracked leaders, left in 2nd at 10th, soon slightly hampered by loose horse, not fluent 4 out, pushed along and no impression on leader before 2 out, tired run-in and lost 2nd
Donny Boy, a winning bumper and hurdler, broke a blood vessel when pulling up on just his second start over fences here in December and gets another chance. Inis Oirr needed a thorough test of stamina over hurdles having scored over three miles at Haydock. He looks a nice staying prospect over fences as does BRANDY MCQUEEN. The latter was in excellent form over hurdles last winter and wasn't beaten far in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham so gets the nod to make a winning start over fences. Winning bumper Swallows Song has a bit to find with the selection on hurdles form but he's bred for chasing.
Donny Boy (IRE) 9-4fav (11-6) Held up in rear, headway from 6th, 3rd and held 2 out, weakened from last, 5th of 6, 16 1/4l behind Miah Grace (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Inis Oirr (IRE) 10-3 (11-9) In touch, not fluent 6th, shaken up after 3 out, soon ridden along, jumped right 2 out, went fourth approaching last, ran on flat, not pace to challenge, 4th of 7, 5 1/4l behind Jet Legs (10-8) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Brandy Mcqueen (IRE) 15-2 (11-11) Led until 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 8, 16 1/2l behind Imperial Merlin (11-11) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Swallows Song 6-4fav (11-6) Handy, ridden and outpaced after 2 out, kept on and took 2nd approaching last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 9, 3 1/4l behind Chance The Robin (11-6) at Hexham 2m 7f mdn (4) gs in May.
