chased winner, ridden and no impression before 2 out
made all, mistake 1st, clear before 2 out, easily
held up, took keen hold, outpaced after 3 out, soon weakened
held up, ridden and weakened after 3 out, went remote 3rd close home
chased leaders, took keen hold, ridden and weakened before mistake 2 out, lost remote 3rd close home
Hard to look beyond the penalised pair although do keep an eye on Line Of Beauty on this first start since December 2017 as she did possess some useful maiden form on the Flat when in the care of Simon Crisford. Story Of Friends followed up an Exeter bumper win with a comfortable success on hurdling debut and is clearly on the upgrade but THEBANNERKINGREBEL (NAP) is preferred. A very good second in a Grade 2 bumper at the Grand National meeting on a first run since wind surgery, the Snowden inmate always looked in control on his hurdling debut at Warwick and is afforded the nod over the Pipe inmate in what should be an interesting contest.
Story Of Friends (FR) 4-5fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, led before 2 out, soon clear, eased towards finish, won at Warwick 2m 3f mdn (5) gd in May beating Spicy Fruity (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Thebannerkingrebel (IRE) 8-15fav (11-2) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, went 2nd before next, led approaching 4th, clear from 2 out, hard held, won at Warwick 2m mdn (4) gd in May beating Gateway To Europe (11-2) by 3 1/4l, 12 ran.
Chica Rapida 66-1 (10-0) Jumped left and bumped 1st, soon last, ridden after 3rd, not fluent and behind 3 out, pulled up before last, at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Kapoupakap (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, outpaced before next, no chance with leaders after, lost modest 4th near finish, 5th of 6, 33 1/2l behind Yeavering Belle (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (4) gd in May.
Line Of Beauty 10-3 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on same pace closing stages, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Colourful Career (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
