left in lead and mistake 1st, jumped badly right throughout, headed 3 out, weakened after 2 out, in 3rd when mistake and unseated rider last
always towards rear, tailed off from 10th, blundered 5 out, blunderd 6 out, went remote 3rd after last
tracked leader, jumped left throughout, led 3 out, driven out
held up in rear, went remote 4th before 11th, never dangerous
held up mid-division, weakened from 10th, tailed off when soon pulled up
held up in touch, soon chased leading pair, chased winner before last, no impression
After four wins over hurdles, Cygnet tries his hand over fences. Donald McCain's five-year-old can be a little keen, however, so is probably best watched today. Basford Bob developed into a decent staying hurdler last year and had probably gone over the top when pulled up at Aintree In April. He could be one to follow this season but may find CUCUMBER RUN too strong on this occasion. As a half-brother to smart chaser Somersby, Nicky Henderson's charge should appreciate tackling larger obstacles for the first time and can score here. Silver Roque has some scope and may prove the pick of the remainder.
Basford Bob (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Prominent, jumped slowly 3rd, not fluent 8th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Saint Are (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Apr, 19 ran.
Cardigan Island (IRE) 18-1 (11-1) Held up, behind when not fluent 6th, went modest 3rd last, 3rd of 4, 31l behind Schumpters Lad (11-1) at Warwick 2m nov chs (3) gf.
Cucumber Run (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) In touch, chased leaders 4th, ridden approaching 6th, every chance when hit 3 out, weakened rapidly well before 2 out, tailed off, 15th of 17, well behind Skint (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f Novice Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (4-7yo) (1) gd in Mar.
Cygnet 5-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, driven and every chance after 3 out, soon weakened, behind when blundered and unseated rider last, in a race won by E Major (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
Finnegans Rainbow 22-1 (9-7) Hampered 2nd, soon behind, struggling 4th, never dangerous, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind The Grey One (10-8) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Oct.
Grasscutter (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Tubed, went left start and slowly away, always well behind, left 2nd bend after 9th, 2nd of 7, well behind Tatispout (10-0) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gf in Oct.
Silver Roque (FR) 7-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 8th until before 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 45l behind Havingotascoobydo (11-7) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.