led until 2nd, tracked leader, not fluent 3 out, led before 2 out, soon headed, led again when jumped left and mistake last, stayed on
held up on outside, took keen hold, headway from 4th, lost place after 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out
went to post early, led into start, took keen hold, led 2nd, ridden and headed before 2 out, one pace
held up, blundered 3 out, some headway before 2 out, no chance with leaders, one pace
held up, took keen hold, headway after 4th, ridden next, outpaced before 2 out
held up in rear, headway on outside before 3 out, led when not fluent next, soon hung left, headed last, hung left and every chance flat, held towards finish
tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden and lost place after 3 out
Old Pride's win at Doncaster last month must have impressed the handicapper given he has raised Alan McCabe's charge 13lb. Verano scored in good style at Uttoxeter last time and should go well again off a 6lb higher mark while RAYAK has gone up the same amount for winning at Newbury last month. Dropping down a grade for this, Jonjo O'Neill's hurdler may come out best given previous winner and today's rival Rathealy finished nearly five lengths behind the selection in third.
Rathealy (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) Led, jumped left, hard pressed 3 out, ridden after next, headed flat, no impression in 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Rayak (11-11) at Newbury 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Feb.
Rayak (IRE) 15-2 (11-11) Held up in 4th, headway 3 out, tracked leading pair next, ridden after last, stayed on to lead final 75 yards, won at Newbury 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Feb beating Coup De Grace (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Old Pride (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Made all and took strong hold, clear before last, ran on strongly, won at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Feb beating One Cool Boy (10-9) by 9l, 12 ran.
Verano (GER) 9-2 (11-11) Made most, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp 0-115 (4) sft beating Bladoun (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Bold Duke 20-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 6th, every chance approaching 3 out, stayed on one pace from next, 4th of 13, 8l behind Ascendant (11-5) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Feb.
Saffron Prince 10-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders on inside, lost a few places when not fluent 5th, no extra before last, 7th of 11, 13l behind Right Step (10-5) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Cut The Corner (IRE) 3-1fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, challenged 8th, lost place and hung left before 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 9, 32l behind Fort Worth (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
