led in start, led and soon clear, reduced lead 3rd, ridden and headed well before 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
held up off the pace in last, closer at 3rd, 3rd travelling well before 2 out, challenged on inside last, soon chasing winner, upsides and every chance run-in, just held
tracked clear leader, stumbled badly 2nd, closer at 3rd, lost 2nd before mistake 3 out, weakened soon after, behind and eased after last, tailed off
tracked leading pair, 2nd travelling well before 3 out, led well before next, strongly pressed when headed last, no extra in 3rd run-in
held up tracking leading trio, 3rd soon after 3 out, pushed along in 2nd on outside well before next, driven between last two, led last, strongly pressed run-in, held on gamely
NonRunner
Rayvin Black was only third in this last year when carrying 8lb less, though did later win a Grade 2 and ran well on the Flat in the spring. The New One has won this for the past three years but that one was behind runner-up MY TENT OR YOURS in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. Nicky Henderson's nine-year-old, winner of the Christmas Hurdle here in 2013, is still a class act and should be too good for stablemate Hargam, who runs in the same colours, and Mister Miyagi. The latter was progressive last season, however, and makes more appeal than handicappers Court Minstrel and Gwafa.
Rayvin Black 3-1 (9-5) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Albahar (9-10) at Goodwood 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
Court Minstrel (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up last, outpaced and struggling after 3 out, tailed off, last of 6, dist behind Ptit Zig (11-0) at Sandown 2m 5f lst (1) gd in Apr.
Gwafa (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, every chance when mistake 2 out, soon led, headed after last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 2l behind Red Tornado (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Jul.
Mister Miyagi (IRE) 13-8fav (11-8) Held up in rear, headway going well off last bend, led last, ran on well, clear inside final 100 yards, readily, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gs in Apr beating Solstice Star (11-8) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Hargam (FR) 11-4 (11-4) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, pushed along and no impression after 3 out, no extra after next, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 15 3/4l behind Ivan Grozny (11-7) at Tipperary 2m (1) sft in Oct.
My Tent Or Yours (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along approaching straight and no impression before last, kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 6, 4 3/4l behind Vroum Vroum Mag (11-5) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Apr.
