chased leaders, slow jump 1st, lost place and ridden 5th, moderate 6th approaching 3 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace
towards rear, not fluent 1st, progress and short of room approaching 3 out, soon good headway to lead, headed and kept on same pace from last
chased leaders, niggled briefly 3rd, closed 5th, 2nd after 3 out, led last, stayed on well run-in
towards rear, headway under pressure into 4th approaching 3 out, soon dropped to 5th and no impression
towards rear, no impression approaching 3 out, soon no extra, tailed off
led and clear, jumped left 4th, reduced lead and jumped left next, headed from 3 out, soon no impression
chased leader, closed 5th, dropped to 4th after 3 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace
There can be no more versatile horses in training than NEDZER'S RETURN, a winner between the flags, in hunter chases, of handicaps over fences, and last time a novice hurdle by 17 lengths. Gordon Elliott's charge takes on better company here but is very difficult to oppose. Maggio had some decent form in the UK but may just need this first start for new connections while Urban Gale has found life tough in handicaps after landing a maiden here last August. Dual winning point-to-pointer Sierra Lady is an interesting entry but Hollywood Law is better over fences these days.
Hollywood Law (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, pulled up before 6 out, in a race won by Larry Luso (11-4) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp chs 0-116 gd in May, 22 ran.
Nedzer's Return (IRE) 1-3fav (10-12) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd and challenged 3 out, led on bit before next, clear when edged right between last 2, pushed out, comfortably, won at Perth 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in May beating Huncheon Wells (10-7) by 17l, 11 ran.
Urban Gale (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, 8th 2 out, ridden and no impression entering straight, kept on same pace, 9th of 25, 16l behind Prince Rudi (10-8) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl 88-130 gd in Apr.
Fool's Wildcat (USA) 20-1 (10-12) In touch on inside, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, weakened from next, 7th of 11, well behind Nedzer's Return (10-12) at Perth 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in May.
Maggio (FR) 11-2 (11-3) Led, headed 3 out, in 3rd and weakening when blundered badly 2 out, 4th of 5, 18l behind Najaf (11-11) at Exeter 2m 1f lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1) gs in Feb.
Moighnalo (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Never a factor, 10th of 20, 35l behind Stakers (11-4) at Tipperary 2m mdn hdl (6yo+) gf.
Sierra Lady (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Alw pr, disp 3out, not qckn aftr 2out, ko, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Inch Native (12-0) at Necarne 3m ire ptp gd in May.
