mid-division weakened from 5th
led, headed approaching 2 out, soon ridden, no chance with winner
chased leaders, hit 5th, soon chasing leading pair, no impression
towards rear, unseated rider 1st
mid-division, weakened 3 out
with leader, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, not fluent last, driven clear
in touch, hit 3rd and soon reminded, weakened from next
tracked leaders, weakened from 3 out
always behind tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
Dan Buoy and French Opera have both won their only starts so far and have to be respected but may have to settle for minor honours behind Elusive Dream, who looks an interesting newcomer and gets the verdict. The selection, a Listed race winner on the flat, has not been seen for over a year but the now in the care of Paul Nicholls could prove to be different class to his rivals and may be worth backing first time out over timber. Star Of Canterbury showed promise on his hurdling debut and makes more appeal than Peter Bowen's recent Newton Abbot winner King Kasyapa, who may struggle under his penalty. Alan King's Dan Buoy made a pleasing winning hurdling debut when successful at Fontwell last month and has to be respected along with Nicky Henderson's Taunton winner French Opera. Elusive Dream may prove to be different class to these though and he is preferred.
Dan Buoy (FR) 11-2 (10-10) Held up towards rear, shaken up 5th, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, chased leader after last, ran on well to lead flat, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gf in Aug beating Art Virginia (10-12) by 8l, 12 ran.
French Opera 11-4fav (11-0) Prominent, challenged after 3 out, led on bit approaching 2 out, driven clear from last, readily, won at Taunton 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Sabre Hongrois (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
King Kasyapa (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Held up, headway after 6th, led 2 out, pushed out, won at N Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf beating City Breeze (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Summer Lodge 20-1 (10-12) In touch, went 2nd 3 out, led next, hit last, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf beating Wilhewispa (10-12) by 6l, 11 ran.
Any Offer (IRE) 66-1 (8-9) In touch until over 3f out, gradually weakened, 12th of 17, 20l behind Young Flavio (9-0) at Salisbury 7f 2yo clm (5) gf in Aug '05 (Flat).
Breaking Shadow (IRE) 15-2 (9-11) Led until ridden and headed halfway, soon weakened, last of 11, 11l behind The Salwick Flyer (8-9) at Hamilton 6f app hcp (6) gs in Aug (Flat).
Elusive Dream 7-1 (9-4) Led after 1f, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon weakened, 18th of 19, well behind Mudawin (8-4) at York 1m 6f hcap (2) gs in Aug '06 (Flat).
Medic (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Chased leaders until ridden and weakened after 3 out, 6th of 13, 22l behind Andijan (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Star of Canterbury (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Held up, not fluent 3rd, headway halfway, chasing leaders when not fluent 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 15l behind Notre Cyborg (10-12) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Turn Me On (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 12th of 14, 12l behind Kirkby's Treasure (9-2) at Musselburgh 7f hcap (6) gs (Flat).
Volaticus (IRE) 6-1jt-fav (9-1) In touch, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 17, 10l behind Myfrenchconnection (8-13) at Beverley 1m hcap (6) gf (Flat).
Tiana Bleu (IRE) 33-1 (7-13) Slowly into stride, ran green in rear, always struggling, 8th of 9, well behind Blue Sky Thinking (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (5) pol in Mar (Flat).