made all, clear 2 out, ridden flat, always holding on
chased winner, ridden after 3 out, no impression next, stayed on flat, always held
behind, remote 4th before 5th, went 3rd flat, never any chance
held up, remote 3rd from 2nd, never any chance with leading pair, dropped to 4th flat, tailed off
chased clear leaders, ridden and weakened before 5th, tailed off
It was only last December that Waltz Darling took a useful-looking Musselburgh hurdle from Pure Style and Flaming Arrow, a performance that indicated a decent future over jumps lay ahead for the Reveley inmate. Presumably, things haven't gone to plan since as he comes here on the back of a 12l third to Bollin Judith in a Uttoxeter seller, not the upward trajectory that appeared likely last winter. Kirkaig has a major absence to contend with and King Brex has shown little enthusiasm for the game this year. ESPORAO, beaten miles in a competitive Irish handicap last time, previously landed a Clonmel chase with ease and also scored a facile win here last season. Gordon Elliott picks his targets shrewdly at this venue and his charge looks the likeliest scorer.
Esporao (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Disputed early, led after 2nd, headed 5th, 5th halfway, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 12th of 15, well behind Rawnaq (10-2) at Bellewstown 2m 1f hcp hdl gf.
Waltz Darling (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway after 4th, one pace in 3rd before last, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Bollin Judith (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) gf.
King Brex (DEN) 16-1 (11-5) Always behind, 13th of 14, 45l behind Urban Kode (11-1) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Apr.
Kirkaig 20-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, went 4th before 2 out, chased winner before last, kept on, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Nelson du Ronceray (10-10) at Hexham 2m sell hdl (5) sft in May '12.
Lewlaur Supreme (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) Always towards rear, struggling in rear before 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Feisty Lass (10-11) at Perth 2m 4f Selling Handicap Hurdle (0-100) (4yo+) (5) gf.
