jumped right at times, took keen hold, led, clear until after 3 out, headed next, soon weakened
tracked clear leader, closed after 3 out, led and not fluent 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, stayed on, held by winner
held up in 3rd, closed after 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, led before last, ridden out
held up in 4th, behind 3rd, closed before 2 out, went 3rd approaching last, not able to challenge
Nonrunner
Australia Day won over fences at this meeting 12 months ago and will ensure there is no hanging about in this. That should suit Get Me Out Of Here, who needs s strong pace to be effective over 2m, But Jonjo O'Neill's gelding was receiving plenty of weight when finishing ahead of BRAMPOUR in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury in February and the Nicholls' entry, last seen finishing seventh in the Champion Hurdle, won on his reappearance last season. He gets a narrow vote with Alsadaa and First Avenue both having plenty to find at the weights.
Australia Day (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) With leader, tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened before 2 out, 12th of 16, 37l behind Local Hero (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Jul.
Brampour (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, niggled along next, no impression 3 out, not fluent 2 out, never in contention, 7th of 10, 12l behind Rock On Ruby (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Get Me Out Of Here (IRE) 7-4 (11-3) Held up, 7th halfway, headway in 4th entering straight, ridden into 2nd before last, led last, kept on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gs in Apr beating Tofino Bay (11-3) by 4l, 8 ran.
First Avenue 16-1 (10-10) Held up behind, headway after 3 out, soon outpaced, well beaten when hampered last, 6th of 12, 23l behind Ubi Ace (11-5) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) gs in Dec.
Alsadaa (USA) 6-1 (11-6) Tracked winner, ridden after 8th, hit 2 out when slightly outpaced by leaders, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 5, 2l behind Pullyourfingerout (10-7) at Worcester 2m nov chs (4) gf in Aug '11.
