held up in rear, steady headway to chase leading pair from 4 out, stayed on same pace from next
chased leaders, chased winner 4 out, ridden and no impression approaching 2 out
chased leaders, chased winner 4th to 4 out, weakened before next
jumped well, tracked leaders, led 3rd, made rest, in command approaching 2 out, easily
not fluent, led to 3rd, weakened 4th, well tailed off when fell 8th
held up, headway and just in touch 4 out, stayed on same pace from next
held up, headway to chase leaders after 5th, hit 4 out, weakened soon after, well beaten when blundered and unseated rider last
chased leaders until blundered and lost place 5th, tended to jump left and no chance after
in touch, weakened quickly 8th, tailed off
behind when blundered badly and nearly unseated rider 3rd, soon driven and struggling, tailed off when blundered and unseated rider 7th
A very interesting beginners chase and I'MSINGINGTHEBLUES can win this enroute to better things for the Nicholls/Walsh combination. A smart novice hurdler last season, the selection was found wanting when competing against the top novices at the spring festivals but has the stamp of one that could do well over fences. Fitness is never an issue with horses coming from the Ditcheat yard. Greenbridge avoided the top novice hurdlers for the majority of last season until finally clashing with them at Aintree. He travelled very smoothly there before his jumping left him down and is another that should come into his own over the larger obstacles. Cortinas is race fit following his recent return to action at Uttoxeter where he his jumping left him down when pace was injected into the race. Isn't That Lucky career record currently reads three from five. Although the yards runners are running well they do tend to benefit for their first outing of the season. Hide The Evidence has not progressed following a fruitful novice hurdle campaign for Jessica Harrington. I'msingintheblues can get his season off to a winning start here.
Cortinas (GER) 5-4fav (10-12) Held up, steady headway 4 out, chased winner from 3 out, every chance last, no extra, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Chrysander (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs (4) gf in Sept.
Greenbridge (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4th, blundered 3 out, jumped left when mistake 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 14, 25l behind Pierrot Lunaire (10-8) at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Hide The Evidence (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) In touch until weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 8, 11l behind Poquelin (11-6) at Sandown 2m hdl (2) gd in Apr.
I'msingingtheblues (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, mistake last, no extra, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Pigeon Island (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Is It Me (USA) 7-1 (11-0) fell in race won by Orpen Wide (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m nov chs (4) gf in Sept, 12 ran.
Isn't That Lucky Evensfav (11-7) Tracked leaders, headway before 2 out, led last, ridden and edged left flat, kept on well towards finish, won at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar beating Rightway Star (12-0) by 2l, 11 ran.
Merchant Red (USA) 9-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression flat, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Orrezzo (10-5) at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) gd in Apr.
Otage De Brion (FR) 13-8jt-fav (11-7) With leaders, tracked leader 4th, ridden to lead 2 out, ridden out, won at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Tampa Boy (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Pipers Legend 8-1 (10-9) Towards rear, effort 4 out, never a factor, 6th of 15, 30l behind Chrysander (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs (4) gf in Sept.
Sun Bian 66-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, ridden 6th, soon tailed off, 10th of 16, 37l behind Rawaabet (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) gs in Sept.
Cornell Precedent 2-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden 4 out, left 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Callisto Moon (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 3yo lst hdl (1) gf in Nov.
