led until narowly headed 8th, pushed along before 3 out, lost 2nd before 2 out, soon no extra, plugged on pressing for 2nd but no chance with winner
tracked leader until approaching 5th, chased leading pair, pushed along and no response approaching 3 out, soon beaten
held up tracking leaders, smooth headway into 3rd 3 out, 2nd before next, led and went left last, driven clear run-in
held up tracking leaders, niggled along 7th, reminder before next, driven and struggling in rear after 4 out, plugging on when hit last, kept on into modest 4th run-in
held up tracking leaders, 2nd approaching 5th, led after 8th, headed when bumped last, kept on same pace run-in, just held on for 2nd
Cole Harden led until the run-in here last year and ran the race of his life to land the World Hurdle at Cheltenham in March when WHISPER was only fifth. But Nicky Henderson's charge reversed the form in the Stayers' Hurdle at Aintree and can also come out on top today. Thistlecrack is an up-and-coming stayer and won the Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree in the spring. He then went to Punchestown for a Grade 1 and was only beaten half-a-length so should give the top two plenty to think about in receipt of 4lb. Aqalim is a cracking handicapper but is probably just a little short of what's required at this level as he was never near the leaders when third at Wetherby. Deputy Dan has lost his confidence over fences and is best watched here, though was second in the Albert Bartlett when last seen over hurdles.
Cole Harden (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) Led, not fluent 4 out, ridden before and headed 2 out, kept on and held by winner run-in, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Whisper (11-7) at Aintree 3m (1) gd in Apr.
Whisper (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway before 6 out to chase leaders, pushed along before 3 out, led 2 out, kept on well run-in, won at Aintree 3m (1) gd in Apr beating Cole Harden (11-7) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Thistlecrack 8-1 (11-10) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, mistake 5 out, closer in 5th 2 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, short of room on rail early straight, stayed on in 3rd last, 2nd run-in and kept on well, pressed winner close home, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Killultagh Vic (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Aqalim 7-2fav (11-1) Held up, ridden after 6th, headway after 9th, mistake 3 out, went 3rd last, no chance with winner, closing on 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 13 3/4l behind Kilcooley (11-9) at Wetherby 3m (1) sft in Oct.
Deputy Dan (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Chasing leaders when fell 10th, at Carlisle 3m (2) hvy in Nov.
