led, jumped slow and headed 3rd, tracked leaders, weakened after 2 out
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders before 3 out, led 2 out, not fluent last, kept on
mid-division, ridden before last, soon weakened
tracked leader, led 3rd, headed before 3 out, weakened after last
held up behind, weakened before 2 out
held up in touch, headway before 2 out, one pace
always behind, weakened from 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, went 2nd from 3rd, led before 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on and no extra towards finish
held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, went 2nd from last, every chance run-in, kept on and held towards finish
A potentially informative opener featuring several promising types. Brain Power makes his hurdling debut having been last seen in a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree in April, for which he was well backed. Theo's Charm produced a cracking effort when seventh in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and is another likely to do well over timber. Lettheriverrundry only found one too good on his hurdles bow over this course and distance three weeks ago and Two Taffs was only beaten a head in a driving finish at Bangor last month, though this looks a better race. AIR HORSE ONE is not very big but looks tough and made the well regarded Aurillac fight all the way to the finish in a Cheltenham bumper last month. The third franked the form at the weekend so we shall take a chance that the Harry Fry runner handles the switch to hurdles..
Air Horse One 11-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, tracked winner from halfway, ridden inside final furlong, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Aurillac (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m (3) gs in Oct.
Brain Power (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, not much room and pushed wide over 3f out, effort over 2f out, not able to get on terms, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 19, 25 1/2l behind Barters Hill (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Church Leap (IRE) 11-2fav (11-5) Made most, driven over 3f out, ridden and hung left when headed 2f out, stayed on to dispute 2nd final furlong, no impression with winner, 3rd of 16, 3 3/4l behind Miss Crick (10-5) at Newbury 1m 4f (6) sft in Feb.
Cougar Kid (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, pushed along and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 21l behind Aurillac (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m (3) gs in Oct.
For Good Measure (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, well behind 4th, modest late progress, never any chance, 6th of 11, 33l behind Matorico (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Lettheriverrundry (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, led approaching when blundered last, soon headed, kept on well, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Imperial Presence (10-12) at Kempton 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Present Times (IRE) Kalanisi gelding out of Beguiling.
Theo's Charm (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, outpaced over 3f out, ridden and kept on same pace under pressure final 2f, no impression, 7th of 23, 9 1/4l behind Moon Racer (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Mar.
Two Taffs (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, upsides when mistake last, ran on, just held, 3rd of 10, hd behind Lady Yeats (10-5) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct.
