held up, not fluent 3rd, headway 4th, went 2nd 9th, no chance with winner
with leaders, 2nd when blundered 7th, weakened before 9th
led approaching 2nd, drew well clear approaching 3 out, not fluent 2 out, unchallenged
held up, not fluent 1st, headway after 7th, disputed 2nd when mistake 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
prominent, disputed lead 5th until approaching 7th, ridden and weakened quickly before 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
held up and behind, some headway before 9th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in rear, ridden and struggling approaching 7th, lost touch before next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in touch, progress 7th, mistake 9th, soon weakened
led until approaching 2nd, in touch after, pushed along approaching 7th, weakened 8th
Milton Des Bieffes returns to hurdling after a successful stint over fences, but he looks a shade high in the weights now so is passed over in favour of Aitch Doubleyou. The selection won over course and distance back in December and performed with credit last time out in a similar contest to today's. He is two from two at the track so must have very solid claims indeed. Major Oak has been performing consistently well recently and was only beaten half a length last month at Wetherby. That was a gutsy effort from the front on similar ground to today so he rates a danger. Milton Des Bieffes is also likely to be in the front rank, and off a mark 7lbs lower than his chase one, he must have solid claims for his regular jockey. Mr Strachan would be much more interesting on better ground so is passed over, whilst Harbour Breeze should step up on his debut run over hurdles. Ultimately this looks an open contest, however we will return to Aitch Doubleyou as our idea of the winner.
Aitch Doubleyou (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, about 2 lengths down in 2nd when blundered last, no impression, 2nd of 10, 14l behind Mister Potter (11-6) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Major Oak (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Led, headed 4, ridden 3 out, rallied to challenge next, kept on, just held, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Shrewd Investor (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan.
Mr Strachan (IRE) 5-2fav (10-12) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders after 4 out, outpaced next, stayed on from last, 3rd of 16, 9l behind Anglicisme (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Arpeggio Major (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Took keen hold in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, well behind Itsa Legend (10-12) at Taunton 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Dark Athlete (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Held up, headway after 5th, went 3rd 7th, soon no extra, 4th of 13, well behind Joaaci (11-12) at Hereford 3m 2f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Harbour Breeze (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) Held up, headway approaching 7th, blundered 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 10, 23l behind Sherwoods Folly (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Mocho (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Mid-division when fell at the 3rd in race won by Glinton (10-13) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Ruby Dante (IRE) 40-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden and some headway approaching 3 out, plugged on, 4th of 16, 17l behind Air Force One (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Tastes Like More (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Led to 5th, one pace from next, 4th of 8, 22l behind Scarvagh Diamond (11-0) at Haydock 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Milton Des Bieffes (FR) 9-2 (10-13) Led, mistake 5th, headed after, weakened 8th, 4th of 5, well behind Offemont (11-12) at Warwick 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
Evelith Princess 100-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden and behind after 7th, 5th of 7, well behind Gaspara (10-13) at Chepstow 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft.
