chased leaders, weakened after 10th, soon struggling, tailed off
led, hit 3rd, driven after 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, lost 2nd soon after and weakened
chased leaders until ridden and lost place 9th
in touch, ridden and headway from 4 out, went 3rd 3 out, soon chased leader, driven and closed between last 2, driven ahead run-in
in touch, headway to chase leaders from 9th, plugged on one pace approaching 2 out
chased leader, ridden after 10th, led well before 3 out, strongly pressed last, hung left and headed run-in
never going well, soon detached in rear, tailed off when pulled up after 10th
Money Line returns to hurdles on his reappearance off the same mark as when landing a handicap chase when last seen in February so has to be respected but Jonjo O'Neill's gelding may be better over the larger obstacles and a better bet looks to be Red Echo, with Come Bye rated the pick of the remainder. The selection seemed to appreciate the faster ground when successful at Fontwell last month and David Pipe's gelding is taken to defy the 6lb rise for that effort. Ballyhoo has been performing with great consistency this term but has been punished by the handicapper for those efforts. Blaze Ahead has been struggling over fences of late and is hard to recommend on his return to hurdling and of more interest may be Come Bye, who should strip fitter for a recent run on the flat. Red Echo has solid claims though and he gets the vote.
Come Bye (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Tended to jump right, led until headed approaching 2 out, no impression after, 4th of 6, 4l behind Burren Legend (10-11) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Apr.
Red Echo (FR) 12-1 (11-11) Led to 6th, ridden and outpaced 8th, hit 2 out, rallied last, ran on well flat to lead close home, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Sept beating City Breeze (10-4) by 2l, 13 ran.
Ballyhoo (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (10-8) With winner, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 8, 22l behind Gaelic Gift (9-10) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
Money Line (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) In rear, hit 4th, not fluent 6th, driven 8th, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leader 2 out, all out to lead flat and hung left close home, won at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb beating Nice Try (11-9) by 4l, 7 ran.
Blaze Ahead (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Chased leader until fell at the 2nd in race won by Lusaka De Pembo (11-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf, 6 ran.
Irishkawa Bellevue (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and stumbled 6th, soon weakened and tailed off from 8th, 8th of 12, 39l behind Whitford Don (11-1) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar.
Shingle Street (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, reminders 3rd, lost place 6th, jumped slowly and pulled up 5 out in race won by Roaringwater (11-12) at Lingfield 2m 7f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft, 11 ran.
