pulled hard, tracked leaders, led last, pushed out
jumped right, led 1st to after 3rd, stayed prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened flat
in touch, effort when hit 3 out, one pace flat
tracked leaders, jumped slowly 5th and 6th, soon hung left, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, effort 3 out, hit 2 out, soon weakened
prominent and pulled hard, led after 3rd, ridden 3 out, headed last, not quicken
not fluent, led to 1st, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Just seven runners here but a very competitive affair, we will take a chance on Nuit Sombre, At Your Request and Pak Jack. Nicky Henderson's five-year-old is not the most straightforward of characters but on the pick of last season's form he has very strong claims. He got the better of Duke Of Buckinghamshire at Huntingdon back in November, and although a shade disappointing afterwards, the stable did go through a bad spell. With the yard back in decent form he looks the best alternative. At Your Request hit winning form last time when accounting for Woody Valentine by three lengths. His previous form was also of a decent standard so he should be in the shake up. Pak Jack returns to hurdling following an excellent effort behind Locksmith in a novice chase and he look the pick of the others. If there is any money for Henrietta Knight's Boytjie, take note, but there could be plenty more to come from Nuit Sombre who is our sporting selection.
At Your Request 9-4fav In touch, headway 6th, ridden and chased leader 3 out, challenged 2 out, led before last, edged right, under pressure flat, won at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo hdl (E) gd in Apr beating Woody Valentine by 3l, 11 ran.
Jack's Lad (IRE) 14-1 Led at very slow pace, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra flat, 4th of 8, 6l behind Enhancer at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl (B) gd in Apr.
Nuit Sombre (IRE) 5-2 Held up, soon prominent, led 3 out, ridden when headed approaching 2 out, soon one pace, 2nd of 6, 12l behind It's Blue Chip at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (E) sft in Mar.
Boytjie (IRE) Un Desperado gelding, half-brother to a winning hurdler and a winning hurdler/chaser.
Charlie Chapel 33-1 Tended to jump left, led after 1st, clear approaching 3rd, headed before 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 13, 35l behind Standin Obligation at Towcester 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Apr.
Pak Jack (FR) 10-3 Held up, pushed along 6th, weakened next, tailed off approaching 4 out, 5th of 6, well behind Locksmith at Doncaster 2m nov chs (B) gd in Jan.
Lewsher 100-1 Mid-division when mistake 1st and 2nd, saddle slipped and pulled up at the 3rd in race won by Roi De L'odet at Ludlow 3m nov hdl (D) gs in Mar, 10 ran.
