raced in 3rd, never remotely involved, left in poor 2nd 3 out
jumped right at some fences, chased clear leader, looked beaten when left in clear lead 3 out
raced very keenly, led, clear after 3rd, still well clear when slithered on landing and fell 3 out
slow 1st, soon tailed off in rear, left poor 3rd and hampered 3 out, tailed off
KID CASSIDY, a half-brother to useful chasers River City, Sound Accord and Wild Cane Ridge, won a decent novice hurdle at Punchestown in May but was always going to do better over the larger obstacles. He should complete a quick double for the in-form Nicky Henderson team. All For Free and Russian Conquest have both had a run over fences but neither showed a great deal of promise so it may be left to another chasing newcomer Darna, who beat the useful Desert Cry over hurdles at Ayr in January, to chase home the selection.
All For Free (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Behind, ridden after 4 out, headway under pressure after next, disputed beaten 4th when blundered last, no impression, 5th of 9, 25l behind Icy Colt (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chase (4) gf in May.
Darna 16-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge 3 out, soon lost place, 13th of 18, 38l behind Arthurian Legend (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Oct.
Kid Cassidy (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Chased leader in moderate 2nd, clear of remainder, closed halfway, ridden to lead entering straight, kept on strongly from before last, easily, won at Punchestown 2m nov hdl gd in May beating Celtic Folklore (11-12) by 13l, 15 ran.
Russian Conquest 66-1 (11-1) Held up in last, mistake 6th, not fluent next, well held after 8th, mistake 4 out, went 4th latter stages, 4th of 7, 33l behind Easter Meteor (11-1) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (4) sft.
