tracked leaders, smooth headway to track winner 3 out, soon ridden and no extra from 2 out
tracked leader, headway to lead after 4 out, driven out from 2 out
held up, blundered 4th, ridden and effort approaching next, no impression
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression from next
led, not fluent 2nd, headed after 4 out, soon ridden and weakened from next
tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, headway and went 2nd 2 out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, weakened from halfway, pulled up before 2 out
Battlecry is selected in the opener ahead of Balyan and Be Commercial. Battlecry stands out here as he is rated 18 pounds ahead of his nearest rival, Balyan. The latter has more than enough ability to win a race of this nature based on his first two runs over hurdles last season. However, Battlecry gets the call as, hailing from a stable that does well at this venue, a repeat of his novice hurdle second to Duc de Regniere at Kempton last February would give him every chance in this contest. His two subsequent runs came in Grade 1 company. Best of the rest might prove to be the point-to-point winner Be Commercial, Irish raider Funny Thing, who has shown bumper promise, and Symbiosis, whose hurdling efforts have seen his rating rise to 95. For the selection, though, we will stick with Battlecry.
Balyan (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, weakened between last 2, 7th of 9, well behind Bywell Beau (11-6) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Mar.
Battlecry 100-1 (11-4) Held up, jumped slowly 5th, behind from 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Chief Dan George (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Be Commercial (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (12-0) A bhnd; t.o & pulled up in race won by Questionit (11-7) at Vauterhill 3m ptp gd in May '06, 11 ran.
Kyle of Lochalsh 25-1 (11-0) Tracked winner and not fluent 1st, effort 4th, ridden and weakened from 4 out, last of 4, well behind Daldini (10-7) at Perth 2m beg chs (4) gs in Aug.
Lockstockandbarrel (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Led, headed after 3rd and stayed prominent until weakened 6th, 3rd of 7, well behind Nelson du Ronceray (11-9) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
Back Too Bedlam 33-1 (10-13) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 11th of 15, 31l behind Levitski (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gf.
Funny Thing (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, improved to lead under 7f out, ridden and headed 3f out, 3rd and no extra 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 15, 7l behind Auction Girl (11-4) at Downpatrick 2m 2f ldy nhf gf in Aug.
Lady Chatelaine (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden when mistake 3 out, no extra from next, 5th of 13, 14l behind Pearson Glen (11-2) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in May.
Symbiosis 7-2jt-fav (11-7) Led, jumped right 3rd and 4th, hung right from after 6th, headed 2 out, 2 lengths 3rd, held when mistake last, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Heavenly Chorus (10-13) at Southwell 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (5) gf in Mar.
