led 1st and keen, headed soon after, stayed prominent, joined winner 3 out, disputing lead and every chance when fell last
in touch, driven from 7th, lost touch next, unseated rider 4 out
led 2nd, pecked 4th, blundered 8th, joined 3 out, disputing lead when left clear last
tracked leading pair, lost touch 3 out, left poor 2nd last
Buena Vista is preferred to Phar Bleu and Alph. Talks of the Arkle Chase followed Buena Vista's recent victory at Exeter and if completing a clear round, the useful hurdler could well be the answer to this contest. Phar Bleu will be no pushover as he was third in the Scottish Champion Hurdle. That said, one or two of the Nicholls runners have not performed up to the formbook in recent days so it could be advisable to tread with caution. Alph had placed in a very weak renewal of the Agfa Hurdle last term but disappointed on his first start of the season. Escobar does have the benefit of a recent win although the BHB figures suggest that he has a bit to do to trouble the market principals. Plumpton specialist, Carly Bay looks hard to fancy at this level. Buena Vista will need to win this in order to justify Arkle ambitions but he should be good enough.
Alph 15-2 (11-2) Held, progress 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, beaten when pulled up 2 out in race won by Siberion (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (3) hvy in Dec, 8 ran.
Escobar (POL) 16-1 (11-7) Chased winner to 4th, stayed prominent until weakened after 3 out, 12th of 16, 35l behind Tashkandi (11-12) at Kempton 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Phar Bleu (FR) 7-1 (10-8) Held up in touch, lost place 5th, ridden after 3 out, headway 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Noble Request (10-9) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Carly Bay 13-2 (11-7) In touch, ridden to chase approching last, hung left and no extra, 3rd of 12, 15l behind Dance With Wolves (10-8) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Buena Vista (IRE) 13-8 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 9th, chased leaders 11th, led 4 out, soon ridden, hit 3 out, jumped right 2 out and last, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (2) sft in Dec beating Tora Bora (11-0) by 2l, 6 ran.
