tracked leaders in 4th, chased front pair when not fluent 4 out, ridden and one pace 2 out, well held before last, kept on flat, not reach front pair
raced keenly, tracked leaders, led 2nd, driven 2 out, 1 1/2 lengths clear when blundered last, soon ridden, kept on, headed towards finish
held up in touch in rear, went 4th before 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no chance with leaders
disputed lead to 2nd, tracked leader, shaken up 2 out, switched inside and ridden between last 2, 1 1/2 lengths down last, rallied flat, led towards finish
disputed lead to 2nd, tracked leaders, lost place 4 out, behind from 2 out
Iniciar came good in a handicap hurdle at Carlisle last month but David Pipe's charge has to concede weight to the higher-rated BONNE QUESTION in this. The latter only found one too good when sent off favourite at Taunton last time and that still looks good enough form in this company. Point-to-point winner Misfits was well beaten on his recent hurdling bow while Sioux Chieftain is rated much higher on the Flat than Notts So Blue but goes hurdling for the first time for his new trainer.
Iniciar (GER) 11-4fav (11-8) In touch in rear, hit 5th, headway to chase leader 2 out, led approaching last, ridden out, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Mar beating Snowed In (10-5) by 5l, 7 ran.
Bonne Question (FR) 11-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders and keen, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on same pace run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Ozzie The Oscar (11-0) at Taunton 2m mdn (4) sft in Mar.
Misfits (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division and keen, headway before 2 out, no extra from last, 4th of 10, 20 3/4l behind Very First Time (10-7) at Newcastle 2m (4) hvy in Mar.
Sioux Chieftain (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, went 3rd approaching final 3f, hung left from over 2f out, went 2nd 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no impression on winner, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Craggaknock (8-12) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp (4) sft in May.
Notts So Blue 33-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden 7f out, lost place over 4f out, 8th of 10, dist behind Moonshine Ridge (9-5) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (6) pol in Mar.