hit 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon outpaced by leading pair
always behind, tailed off 4 out
took keen hold, held up, mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out
hit 9th, mistake 9th, weakaned before 3 out
mistake 1st, held up, in rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, chased winner next, not quicken flat
chased leader, weakened quickly 3 out
mistake and blundered 1st, chased leaders, hit 8th, weakening when not fluent 4 out, no chance when blundered 2 out
tracked leaders, going well to lead 2 out, joined last, driven and held on under pressure flat
chased leaders, jumped slowly 4th, ridden and outpaced from 7th, ridden and weakened before 3 out
in touch, chased leaders from 4 out, mistake and weakened 2 out
Very Optimistic was easily the best of these over hurdles but lack of a recent run is of concern for Jonjo O'Neill's gelding, as it is for the Philip Hobbs-trained O'Toole, so preference is for Lustral du Seuil. The selection comes from the in-form yard of Nicky Henderson and it is interesting that he has wasted no time in putting the six-year-old over the larger obstacles. With the yard's horses in form, Lustral du Seuil looks worth a bet. Venetia Williams has her string in good form at present so De Blanc has to be respected, although she may not be good enough. Cossack Dancer was highly tried over hurdles and showed little on his one start over fences last term but may be better than the bare form would suggest, while Charlton Kings is less exposed than most of these. Very Optimistic holds solid claims if fit but the chances are that Lustral du Seuil will be more forward and he is preferred.
Charlton Kings (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Prominent, led 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 16l behind Manx Royal (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Apr.
Cossack Dancer (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Took keen hold, led approaching 2nd, headed 3 out, hit 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 8th of 15, 13l behind Swift Swallow (11-3) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gf in May.
I D Technology (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, headway after 3 out, led and hit next, soon ridden, headed and not fluent last, no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Tulipa (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gd in Jul '04.
Launde (IRE) 3-1 (12-5) 2nd of 16, 6l behind All Alight (12-5) at Dingley 3m ptp gd in May.
Lustral du Seuil (FR) 11-2 (11-7) Chased winner, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened run-in, 5th of 15, 14l behind Briareus (11-7) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Apr.
O'Toole (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Always prominent, led 3 out, ridden out, won at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Apr beating Salute (11-6) by 3l, 17 ran.
De Blanc (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Led, headed after 2nd, led again after 3rd, headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 7, 15l behind Mags Benefit (9-9) at Ayr 2m mrs hcp hdl (B) gd in Apr.
Very Optimistic (IRE) 10-1 (10-1) Held up, headway 7th, ridden to chase winner when mistakes 3 out and next, lost 2nd flat, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Mr Cool (10-4) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (B) gs in May.
