tracked leader, led before 2 out, headed last, soon ridden and every chance, well held towards finish
in rear and in touch, went 3rd 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, going well when led and mistake last, soon ridden and found plenty towards finish
led, headed before 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders in 3rd, in rear when blundered 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
Peddlers Cross won this in 2011 and Simonsig was successful 12 months ago and both went on to run well at Cheltenham. Any Given Day, Duke Of Navan and Morning Royalty all have Festival entries this year with the first-named engaged in the Stayers' Hurdle and the latter pair still in the Supreme Novices', though Morning Royalty could just as likely end up in the Grade One novices' event over a longer trip. PAS TROP TARD has no such lofty ambitions but Maurice Barnes must be delighted in how he's developed this season and he proved his versatility by winning easily over 2m4f at Ayr last month. He deserves a crack at this higher level and could offer a bit of value. Orsippus hasn't won over hurdles since winning a Grade One at Aintree as a four-year-old and was also in action at Musselburgh yesterday.
Any Given Day (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up in last pair, headway on inside approaching 3 out, pushed along and chased leaders approaching next, weakened before last, 7th of 9, 18l behind African Gold (10-0) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Dec.
Duke Of Navan (IRE) 7-4 (11-12) Always prominent, not much room 5th, challenged 2 out, soon led, stayed on well, won at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Big Water (11-5) by 3l, 13 ran.
Morning Royalty (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leader, ridden after last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Get Back In Line (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft.
Pas Trop Tard (FR) 11-4 (11-12) Held up in touch, not fluent 4th, challenged 8th, led 3 out, clear next, easily, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan beating Lady Bluesky (11-9) by 13l, 6 ran.
Orsippus (USA) 16-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, hit 4th, ridden before 3 out, behind when fell 2 out, in a race won by Attaglance (11-12) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr, 21 ran.