held up in rear, tracked front pair after 4th, went 2nd at 6th, switched outside to challenge approaching 2 out, ridden and one pace when went left and not fluent last, readily outpaced flat
jumped right, made all, not fluent 4 out, hard pressed 2 out, soon ridden, drew readily clear flat
chased winner until mistake and reminder 3rd, behind from next, soon lost touch, continued well tailed off
tracked winner 3rd to 6th, chased front pair, lost touch 9th, continued in remote 3rd
Flying Tiger is a similar type to last year’s winner Diego Du Charmil in that he was a smart juvenile hurdler who faced some stiff tasks in handicaps last season. If he takes to fences, Nick Williams’ five-year-old could well run up a sequence but Paul Nicholls has dominated this contest so DIVIN BERE is much respected despite losing his way in the spring. He will certainly know his job and may be a bit of value though Highway One O One did really well over timber last term, winning three times and ending up on a mark of 140. He won his bumper around here and has point-to-point experience so is not just making up the numbers. Rainy Day Dylan was also a progressive hurdler last season and adds to the interest.
Flying Tiger (IRE) 17-2 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, weakened flat, 10th of 16, 9 1/4l behind Midnight Shadow (10-4) at Ayr 2m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Highway One O One (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Chased leader, led 3rd, joined last, headed run-in, kept on gamely to hold 2nd, 2nd of 20, 1 1/4l behind Ballymoy (11-7) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Mr Pippin 200-1 (11-0) With leader, led before 3rd, headed 5th, in touch until struggling and detached in clear 3rd from 10th, weakened and lost place 15th, soon tailed off, eventually completed, last of 6, dist behind Beat That (11-0) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f (3) gd in Aug.
Rainy Day Dylan (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Made all, hit last, stayed on gamely, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Apr beating The Mighty Ash (10-13) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Divin Bere (FR) 33-1 (10-13) Held up in mid-division, mistake 3 out, soon beaten, last 2 out, pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
