chased winner, mistake 2nd, bumped 6th, lost 2nd 11th, weakened before 2 out
jumped well, made all, pressed last, drew clear flat, easily
jumped right, chased leaders, bumped 6th, went 2nd 11th, pressing winner when mistake last, no extra flat
in rear, mistake 4 out, not fluent 3 out, went 3rd but weakened before 2 out
A fascinating clash between four chasing newcomers who could all turn out to be money-spinners this season. The winner of a Grade 3 hurdle at Cheltenham around this time last year, WEST CORK gets a narrow vote ahead of the younger Stage Star, who won the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury last December but was then pulled up at Cheltenham and Aintree. Skytastic’s only defeat so far came in the Grade 1 Sefton Hurdle at Aintree in April and Interne De Sivola won twice over timber last season and gets a 9lb weight-for-age allowance.
Skytastic (FR) 11-2 (11-7) Led until after 1st, tracked leaders, challenged 8th, every chance when mistake 3 out, soon held and edged left, weakened from 2 out, 10th of 14, dist behind Gelino Bello (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Stage Star (IRE) 17-2 (11-4) Raced keenly, led until 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
West Cork 9-2 (11-10) Held up, headway when fell 3 out, at Haydock 2m hcp (1) gs in May.
Interne De Sivola (FR) 11-8fav (11-8) Led, headed 2nd, led 4th, drew clear last, ridden out, won at Stratford 2m 3f (3) gs in Mar beating Silver Shade (11-8) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
