led and disputed, led before the last, stayed on strongly run-in
held up 4th, closer in 3rd when led narrowly approaching 2 out, headed before the last, stayed on same pace run-in
tracked leading pair until before 2 out, went 3rd again and hit 2 out, edged left and no chance with leading duo between last 2
raced keenly, led and disputed, headed before 2 out, soon beaten, eased run-in
DISPUTED ran well for fourth in a tougher handicap hurdle than this at Cheltenham last time when beaten only a couple of lengths. Chris Gordon’s charge should make a bold bid today. Like The Sound has won a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter and ran well in a novices’ event last time and Old Salt also makes his handicap debut today. Eminent Poet was raised 10lb after landing a double earlier this year and was well beaten at Haydock recently.
Eminent Poet 13-2 (11-6) Mid-division, lost place and in rear before 6th, 8th of 10, 32 1/4l behind Dadsintrouble (11-5) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Disputed (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, headway when not clear run before last, stayed on flat, went 4th towards finish, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind William H Bonney (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Old Salt (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Held up in touch, weakened 3 out, 4th of 7, dist behind Bordeaux Bill (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) gs in Jan.
Like The Sound (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Led until 7th, led 3 out, jumped left next, still every chance flat, held final 75 yards, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Captain Buck's (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gs in Feb.
