held up, well in rear, outpaced before 5th, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd last, no chance in front pair
chased leader, led on inside well before 2 out, soon pressed, headed last, no extra run in
chased leaders, mistake and lost place 5th, stayed on one pace from 2 out
in touch, driven approaching 2 out, no impression
led, hit 3 out, headed well before 2 out, weakened soon after
chased leaders, headway 5th, challenge and awkward 2 out, led last, driven and kept on well flat
not fluent, always struggling in rear, tailed off
Triumph Hurdle winner KATCHIT showed even better form over timber last season, landing the Kingwell Hurdle before his success in the Champion Hurdle and it is hard to get away from Alan King's gelding on his return to action, with the five-year-old getting the verdict ahead of Sporazene and Katies Tuitor. The last mentioned has, like a lot of Charlie Mann's runners, shown improved form this term with two handicap successes at Market Rasen but this is tougher for him and he may have to settle for minor honours. Nigel Twiston-Davies similarly has his string in good order but his runner Pigeon Island, who was well held in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle last term may be best watched on his reappearance. Snap Tie, who finished third in that race, is less exposed than most of these after just eight career starts, and has to be considered but a bigger threat is likely to come from Sporazene. The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding did not really take to fences but has been performing well back over hurdles this term, winning two of his last three starts, and he has to be considered. Katchit has an obvious chance though and Alan King's gelding is hard to oppose.
Alph 16-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, pushed along and headway on outside approaching 5th, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 11, 39l behind Sporazene (11-4) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gf in Aug.
Katchit (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) In touch, led 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on strongly flat, won at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar beating Osana (11-10) by 1l, 15 ran.
Katies Tuitor 12-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and quickened to lead, for 2 out, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sept beating Riguez Dancer (10-7) by 4l, 16 ran.
Pigeon Island 9-4fav (11-7) In touch, driven and effort approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 5th of 8, 5l behind Poquelin (11-6) at Sandown 2m hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Sporazene (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) With leader, led 2nd, headed 5th, led approaching 3 out, headed before 2 out, soon ridden, reagained lead approaching last, stayed on gamely, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gf in Aug beating Nortonthorpe Lad (9-12) by 4l, 11 ran.
Snap Tie (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 4th, hit next, ridden after 2 out, hit last, kept on, 3rd of 22, 7l behind Captain Cee Bee (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Petrosian 200-1 (10-7) Race keenly, prominent, still well 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 12, 15l behind Argento Luna (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
