pressed winner until jumped slowly 3 out, soon struggling, well beaten 3 out
held up, headway 4th, led 2 out, ridden approaching last, headed flat, no impression towards finish
held up, not fluent 3rd, closed when not fluent next, ridden and outpaced 2 out
chased leading pair, closed when not fluent 4th, close up when not fluent 2 out, switched left before last, stayed on flat, went 2nd but not quite able to reach winner
set modest pace, headed 2 out, stayed challenging, led soon after last, ridden out
VAIHAU won three bumpers in the French provinces last year and was very highly tried on his UK debut for Jonjo O'Neill in a Grade 2 hurdle at Kempton in February. He wasn't disgraced and could be good enough to run up a sequence this autumn. Under The Phone makes his debut under Rules having failed to win in seven starts between the flags but Bjornlucky won a bumper at Wincanton a year ago and should make a hurdler. The other pair make little appeal on what they've shown so far.
Arden Denis (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division, lost place 5th, soon struggling, no chance with leaders, tailed off, 5th of 10, well behind Orby's Man (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Sep.
Bjornlucky (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Mid-division, pushed along in 5th 4f out, plugged on same pace final 2f, 5th of 12, 16l behind Rhythm Star (10-10) at Fontwell 1m 6f NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Under The Phone (IRE) 6-1 (12-2) Chsd ldrs, 4th 1/2way, prog to cl 2nd 4out, rdn in 3l 3rd appr str, kow to line, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Butlergrove King (11-6) at Borris House 3m ire ptp gd in Mar.
Vaihau (FR) 50-1 (11-2) Held up in last pair, pushed along and outpaced on long run to 2 out, 6th of 7, 23l behind Irving (11-9) at Kempton 2m nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Be My Witness (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Always towards rear, 10th of 13, well behind Slim Pickens (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f NH mdn hdl (5) gf in Jun.
