tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, challenged on bit 2 out, soon led, ridden run-in, stayed on well
close up, led 4 out, pressed 2 out, soon headed and ridden, no chance with winner, eased towards finish
held up towards rear on inner, headway approaching 3 out, soon chased leading pair, no impression from last, weakened and lost 3rd towards finish
towards rear, reminder before 5th, soon pushed along, weakened from 6th, soon pulled up
led to 4 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, pushed along before 6th, soon struggling, tailed off
held up mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, no impression from next, kept on one pace, went 3rd towards finish
tracked leaders, pushed along and lost place after 5th, tailed off from 6th
held up towards rear, reminders after 6th, weakened before next, tailed off
PEDDLERS CROSS has missed a few opportunities lately because of the weather and wasn't risked in the Welsh Champion Hurdle after reportedly coughing. But Donald McCain is obviously happy enough for him to have his final warm-up for the Champion Hurdle here and he should extend his unbeaten record with the minimum of fuss. Bygones Of Brid looks held on their running in the Fighting Fifth at Newbury in November while Orsippus, who won a valuable handicap at Aintree's Grand National meeting last year, was been well below par in a couple of runs in the autumn. Hollins is a C&D winner and won a well-contested handicap on the Flat at York last spring but will probably need this after a lengthy break.
Peddlers Cross (IRE) 9-4 (11-7) Chased clear leader, closed 2nd, challenged 3 out, soon led, ridden and strongly pressed last, stayed on strongly flat, won at Newbury 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Nov beating Starluck (11-7) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Bygones of Brid (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, hit 5th, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, well behind Tiger O'Toole (10-5) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl G2 (1) gs in Jan.
Orsippus (USA) 50-1 (11-0) In rear, ridden after 4 out, modest headway from 2 out, never on terms, 7th of 17, 26l behind Menorah (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Nov.
Bucephalus (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Held up behind in touch, headway on outside to challenge 4 out, soon driven and outpaced, behind from next, left remote 4th last, 4th of 6, 37l behind Devotion To Duty (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Bywell Beau (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Led and soon clear until after 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 13, 22l behind Diklers Oscar (10-13) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Cassius (IRE) 15-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, weakening when mistake last, 6th of 12, 11l behind Doeslessthanme (11-6) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Nov.
Hollins 20-1 (11-4) Led to 5th, tracked winner, effort and every chance on inside when not fluent 2 out, ridden and one pace approaching last, 5th of 9, 16l behind Captain Chris (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Kempski 12-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed before 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 13, 17l behind Last Of The Bunch (11-9) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy.
Scriptwriter (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 6th, went 3rd before 3 out, weakened after next, 4th of 17, 35l behind Moonlight Drive (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs.
