held up, mistake 7th, weakened after next
pulled hard, soon tracking leaders, went 2nd 5th, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up, headway 8th, ridden after 3 out, beaten when went right next
never fluent, in touch, hit 1st, struggling 7th, kept on same pace from 2 out
led, soon clear, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra
stumbled and slipped badly 1st, held up, short lived effort 3 out
held up in touch, headway after 6th, went 2nd 8th, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next
chased clear leader until 5th, soon nudged along, rallied approaching 2 out, led before last, ran on well
Oldrik continues to threaten to win however the feeling is that fences may be the making of the frustrating Daraybad and therefore he gets the nod. Nicky Henderson's yard has been on holiday for a while but rolling back into action now, this frustrating hurdler Daraybad makes his debut over fences. He likes good ground but acts on anything so conditions should hold no fears and sure to have been well-schooled, he gets the vote. Spiritual Society has plenty of experience over birch, however he doesn't win as often as he should although he does come here on the back of a decent hurdles outing at Wetherby. Albarino has place claims, but a record of one win in 26 attempts over fences tempers enthusiasm somewhat. Wild Power is a course and distance winner and may improve on a recent fourth, whilst Haunted House ran well on his return from a spell on the sidelines and should only improve for that run. The consistent Oldrik must be considered, however it is Daraybad who can score.
Haunted House 6-1 (11-12) Held up, ridden, headway approaching 4 out, mistake 3 out, went 3rd approaching last, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 10, 18l behind Et Maintenant (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Laoch Dubh (IRE) 100-1 (10-4) Prominent, chased leader 2nd, jumped right and not fluent 6th, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Lord Ryeford (11-2) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May, 11 ran.
Daraybad (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway after 5th, no extra flat, 5th of 17, 10l behind King's Head (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Oldrik (GER) 7-2 (11-12) Held up behind leaders, headway 9th, ridden after 2 out, every chance last, no extra, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Ede's (9-12) at N Abbot 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in May.
Spiritual Society (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Raced keenly, tracked leader, led after 3rd, ridden and headed between last 2, one pace flat, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Mr Aitch (11-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Albarino (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, pulled hard, headway 5th, not fluent next, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Red Jester (10-3) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in May.
Wild Power (GER) 9-1 (9-10) Held up, ridden, headway approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out, 4th of 10, 28l behind Et Maintenant (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Humid Climate 33-1 (10-13) Held up behind, not fluent 5th, struggling 8th, went 4th 3 out, never going pace to challenge, 4th of 6, 36l behind Nesnaas (11-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs (4) gd in Apr.
