led, headed 4 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, pushed along 3 out, weakened before 2 out
mid-division, headway before 2 out, ridden to lead before and blundered last, kept on
with leader, led 4 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on
held up mid-division, headway after 2 out, led before last, soon headed, kept on
mid-division, ridden and weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear and keen, weakened 2 out
held up in touch, weakened from 2 out
always towards rear
towards rear, weakened from 2 out
chased leaders, weakened from 2 out
held up in touch, went 3rd before 3 out, in 2nd when blundered 2 out, soon weakened
towards rear, headway after 2 out, went 4th before last, never dangerous
always behind
held up mid-division, ridden after 2 out, soon weakened
How intriguing to see Claret Cloak return to hurdling for the first time since April 2013 when the Lavelle inmate recorded a course and distance success. The combination of an attractive purse and good, quick ground are the likely persuasive influences behind the move and he demands respect but the rain could scupper his chance if altering forecast conditions. Hold your bets as late as possible is the advice. Vulcanite, Roman Flight and Laudatory are useful in this grade but need to improve on latest efforts at these weights, whilst Dubai Prince is of interest plunged into such a competitive contest by John Ferguson on his first start for over 300 days. Benbecula, Lochalsh and RYEOLLIAN are all noteworthy off the bottom rung and it's the latter who receives the nod. An easy winner last time, the progressive gelding has already proved his ability against his elders when just run out of the Sussex Champion Hurdle by Dormello Mo and can go one better of this lowly mark.
Claret Cloak (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, ridden before 3 out, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead last, kept on and driven out towards finish, won at Kempton 2m hcp chs (2) gd beating My Brother Sylvest (10-12) by 1l, 7 ran.
Vulcanite (IRE) 22-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, pushed along after 4 out, no impression 2 out, 5th of 11, 13l behind Virgilio (10-5) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd.
Roman Flight (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Always towards rear, weakened from 4 out, 9th of 14, 16l behind Cheltenian (10-13) at Ayr 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Laudatory 5-1 (11-9) Led, ridden and headed before last, kept on and no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Kashmir Peak (11-3) at Doncaster 2m hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Dubai Prince (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Rear of mid-division, no extra after 3 out, not fluent next, 14th of 20, 23l behind Thomas Edison (10-6) at Galway 2m hcp hdl gd in Jul.
Oyster Shell 16-1 (11-12) Chased clear leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 6th of 8, 27l behind War Singer (11-4) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
Foxtail Hill (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, in a race won by Tanerko Emery (11-9) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Apr, 9 ran.
Another Journey 25-1 (11-2) Prominent, led 4 out, ridden clear last, eased flat, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd beating Tekthelot (11-3) by 6l, 6 ran.
Alwaystheoptimist 5-1 (11-13) Held up in touch, took keen hold, not always fluent, headway before 10th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Ballylifen (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in May '14, 5 ran.
Collodi (GER) 16-1 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, mistake 5th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 8, 45l behind War Singer (11-4) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
Benbecula 2-1fav (11-5) Made all, ridden before last, kept on, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd beating Kuda Huraa (11-8) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Ryeolliean 6-4fav (10-10) Tracked leader, led after 3 out, clear before next, reminder before last, kept on well, easily, won at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gd beating Sebs Sensei (10-3) by 8l, 7 ran.
Lochalsh (IRE) 1-4fav (11-0) Held up 5th in touch, smooth headway on inside into 3rd before 2 out, 2nd soon after, led after 2 out, soon in command, easily, won at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr beating Ishusharella (9-12) by 8l, 5 ran.
Western Diva (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Pulled hard, held up and behind, closer in 5th after 3rd, travelling well when fell 3 out, in a race won by Bon Chic (11-12) at Stratford 2m 3f mrs hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
Brinestine (USA) 7-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, led before 2 out, soon headed and weakened, 3rd of 9, 15l behind Regulation (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
