in touch in rear of mid-division, closer in 5th 3 out, ridden next, kept on one pace straight
tracked leaders in 3rd, not fluent 1st, mistake 3rd, ridden 3 out, weakened
in rear, trailing and niggled along 3rd, bad mistake 6th, no impression from next, never a factor
tracked leader in 2nd, took keen hod, mistake 2nd, disputed lead 4th, headed next, ridden in 2nd 2 out, no impression straight
led, joined 4th, led next, slight mistake 6th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened
in touch in rear, 7th 3 out, closer in 5th 2 out, headway into 2nd entering straight, soon ridden, briefly strongly pressed winner after last, kept on same pace in 2nd inside final furlong
mid-division, 5th 3 out, pushed along in 4th 2 out, ridden in moderate 5th entering straight, 3rd at last, kept on one pace
tracked leaders on outer, improved to lead 2 out, clear and pushed along entering straight, slow jump at last and briefly strongly pressed early run-in, rallied and stayed on well inside final furlong
HONEYSUCKLE was so dominant in the Champion Hurdle that she's impossible to oppose. Now unbeaten in 11 starts under Rules after her point-to-point victory, she had Sharjah and Epatante in the places at Cheltenham and it's difficult to see a form reversal. Abacadabras fell in the big race but made amends at Aintree though had earlier been beaten 10 lengths by the selection in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown. Goshen is on another retrieval mission after his wayward display at Cheltenham having looked right back to his best at Wincanton previously.
Abacadabras (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway on inside 2 out, hit 2 out, challenging when mistake last, soon led, ridden out, won at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr beating Buzz (11-7) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Aspire Tower (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Chased leading pair, went 2nd at 5th, went left hit 2 out and led, headed between last 2, soon lost 2nd, 2nd again briefly before the last, soon no extra in 3rd, weakened into 4th at the last, 4th of 10, 11l behind Honeysuckle (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Darver Star (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Lacked fluency and slow at times, always in rear, behind 8th, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Chantry House (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Mar.
Goshen (FR) 11-2 (11-10) Soon tracking leader, hung badly right from 3rd, lost 2nd at 5th, chased leaders, lost place before 3 out, behind before next, tailed off, 8th of 10, 26l behind Honeysuckle (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Jason The Militant (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Led, not fluent 6th, jinked right and unseated rider next, at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
Sharjah (FR) 11-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, slightly hampered by faller at 3rd, headway before 2 out, went 2nd before the last, no chance with impressive winner, 2nd of 10, 6 1/2l behind Honeysuckle (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Epatante (FR) 4-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, went modest 3rd last, no chance with impressive winner, 3rd of 10, 9 1/2l behind Honeysuckle (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Honeysuckle 11-10fav (11-3) Raced out wide in mid-division, headway tracking leaders before 4th, travelling well in 3rd before 3 out, led between last 2, quickened clear soon after, impressive, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar beating Sharjah (11-10) by 6 1/2l, 10 ran.
