never fluent, chased leaders, outpaced in 5th before 4 out, slithered on landing last, eased
tracked leader, led 7th until 10th, in front again 12th, headed approaching 3 out, ridden and lost 2nd next, kept on same pace in 3rd
held up last and ran in snatches, jumped slowly 3rd 10th and 13th, pushed along after 13th, soon beaten, never on terms
led until 7th, led again 10th until 12th, chased leader, led again approaching 3 out, 1 length ahead last, hung left headed and no extra run-in
held up in 5th on inside, closer tracking leaders 7th, mistake and lost place 11th, rallied into 3rd again before 4 out, 2nd travelling well 2 out, 1 length down and not fluent last, led run-in, stayed on
chased leading pair until approaching 4 out, weakened next
last pair, behind and struggling before 4 out, tailed off when unseated rider 3 out
A high-class renewal of this Grade 2 won by Native River in 2015 and Thistlecrack a year later. Elegant Escape, last year’s winner, is among the favourites for the Ladbrokes Trophy later today and all are trained by Colin Tizzard, who runs KILBRICKEN STORM this time. The seven-year-old will need to jump better than when just scrambling home at Ffos Las on his chasing bow but he’ll know more today and did beat the returning Santini in the Albert Bartlett over hurdles at Cheltenham in March, the only blemish so far on the record of the latter who also looks a top chasing prospect given he has already won a point. Mr Big Shot is another who has only tasted defeat once so far under Rules and he has nothing to fear from Skipthecuddles on hurdles form. Rocky's Treasure and Le Breuil have already shown smart form over fences but will have their credentials tested in this company.
Kilbricken Storm (IRE) 8-11fav (11-3) Always prominent, led 6th, jumped right throughout, headed after last, soon rallied and every chance throughout final 50 yards, stayed on gamely to lead again post (2 fences omitted), won at Ffos Las 3m (3) hvy in Nov beating Cobolobo (11-3) by shd, 9 ran.
Le Breuil (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Led, joined 3 out, headed narrowly when left in 1 length advantage next, soon ridden, edged right last, headed narrowly flat, kept on, just held, 2nd of 7, nk behind Count Meribel (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gd in Nov.
Mr Big Shot (IRE) 7-1fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway before and not fluent 3 out, ridden to lead before last, headed narrowly run-in, rallied to regain lead last 100 yards, kept on, won at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Apr beating Now Mcginty (11-2) by 3/4l, 20 ran.
Rocky's Treasure (IRE) 6-4 (12-2) Jumped boldly, made all, clear most of the way, unchallenged, won at Wetherby 3m (4) gd in Nov beating Poetic Rhythm (11-4) by 24l, 5 ran.
Santini 6-4fav (11-4) Led until after 1st, pressed leader, brought alone to stands side and led 3 out, edged left and pressed flat, stayed on well and in command towards finish, won at Aintree 3m 1f (1) sft in Apr beating Roksana (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Skipthecuddles (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Prominent, led 4th, headed before 2 out, chased leaders, weakening when fell last, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
This Is It (IRE) 9-4 (11-9) Mostly chased winner from before 2nd, not fluent 6th, no impression when mistake 3 out, weakened before 2 out, not fluent last, 2nd of 4, 21l behind Kilfilum Cross (11-2) at Chepstow 3m (4) sft in Mar.
