chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led soon after 2 out, edged right under pressure approaching last, ran on, ridden out
held up behind leaders, headway 3 out, led 2 out, soon ridden, headed, no extra from last
led until 5th, weakened after 3 out
chased leader, led 5th, headed 2 out, soon ridden, switched left approaching last, faded flat
lost touch 3rd, tailed off
Four of the past five renewals have gone to the favourite and Straw Bear has a decent chance of making it five from six. He has Afsoun to fear with Bywell Beau comfortably best of the remainder. Bywell Beau should ensure that this is a decent test and may try and steal this from the front but his rivals will surely be alive to that danger and have any amount in hand on the book. Straw Bear readily accounted for Afsoun in the Kingwell last season but pulled up in the Champion Hurdle with Afsoun finishing third. The pair finished together at Cheltenham in December but have enjoyed contrasting fortunes since then. Straw Bear looked back to somewhere near his best when getting the better of the enigmatic Harchibald in the Christmas Hurdle whereas Afsoun posted another relatively disappointing display back at Cheltenham over an extended two and a half miles. There's little to choose between them when both are at their best and Afsoun did travel well for a long way last time but Straw Bear has to be the pick following his win at Kempton.
Afsoun (FR) 2-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, left 2nd 6th, ridden 2 out, hung left, switched left approaching last, every chance soon after, weakened, 4th of 7, 11l behind Blazing Bailey (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Straw Bear (USA) 9-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden and headed last, battled on gamely, led near finish, driven out, won at Kempton 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec beating Harchibald (11-7) by a hd, 6 ran.
Bywell Beau (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Led, headed after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on to lead again flat, kept on gamely under pressure close home, won at Kelso 2m hcp hdl (2) hvy in Jan beating First Look (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Osako D'airy (FR) 40-1 (11-11) Led, soon clear, reduced advantage approaching 3 out, ridden after 2 out, headed last, one pace flat, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Tazbar (11-11) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Jan.
Peak Seasons (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 4th, outpaced from 3 out, 4th of 20, 9l behind Random Native (11-9) at Doncaster 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
