held up in touch, ridden 3 out to chase leading 2, weakening when hit 2 out
led, ridden 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, one pace
keen in mid-division, mistake 3rd, hit 5th, lost place next, soon behind
tracked leaders, weakened 4 out
mid-division, headway 8th, one pace from next
held up mid-division, raced wide, steady headway 6th, led on bit 3 out, clear 2 out, easy
held up in rear, ridden 4th, lost touch 5, tailed off from 7th, pulled up before next
held up in rear, mistake 3rd, headway on inside 6th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, ridden 7th, soon weakened
in touch, lost place after 5th, headway 7th, ridden when mistake next, weakened 3 out
prominent, keen, weakened approaching 6th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
Astyanax is the selection over the likes of Murphy's Nails, Waziri and Pin High, with She's Our Native one to note as well. Former Flat stayer Astyanax was disappointing over hurdles last season, but came back with a bang when making all over the course and distance in October. Nicky Henderson must still have faith in him as he has sent him to Cheltenham and Newbury since. The five-year-old was not disgraced on either occasion, and with useful amateur Jamie Snowdon in the saddle today, he should make a bold bid to make all. Murphy's Nails always seems to find one too good but was 20 lengths clear of the third horse when falling to repel the challenge of Redspin over the course and distance the time before last. Beaten when falling two out at Cheltenham last time, he can at least be involved. Waziri has yet to open his account over hurdles, but may improve for the step up in trip, while Pin High is only lightly raced and was second here in February. She's Our Native went wrong over fences at Ludlow in March and will need the run but she is worth noting, as her astute trainer will definitely place her to good effect this season. With fitness assured though it is Astyanax that appeals most today.
Point 22-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, 8th of 12, 38l behind Air Guitar (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Astyanax (IRE) 16-1 (10-1) Prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance when mistake last, kept on but no extra close home, 4th of 16, 1 1/2l behind Screenplay (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Nov.
Pin High (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) In rear, headway 7th, soon weakened, 5th of 9, well behind Gungadu (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Murphy's Nails (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, behind when fell 2 out in race won by Not Left Yet (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs in Nov, 19 ran.
She's Our Native (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) Held up, effort after 9th, weakened 10th, 4th and no chance when pulled up 2 out in race won by Alcopop (11-10) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (D) hvy in Mar, 5 ran.
Kirby's Vic (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 8, 37l behind Red Perk (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 7f cnd nov hcp hdl (E) sft in Oct.
Waziri (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Held up, towards rear, headway 5th, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 10, 18l behind North Lodge (11-1) at Hereford 2m 1f amt hcp hdl (F) gd in Nov.
Darko Karim 10-1 (10-10) In touch and ran in snatches throughout, hard driven 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 12, 16l behind Strathtay (10-3) at Taunton 2m 1f 3yo nov sll hdl (G) gf in Nov.
