made most, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, ridden and weakened 4 out
held up, weakened 4 out
soon with leader, ridden to lead 2 out, soon quickened clear, not fluent last, kept on well
held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden 3 out, weakened next
in touch, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, in 5th when fell 3 out
World Hurdle winner My Way de Solzen is likely to be at fairly prohibitive odds for his return in this Grade 2 contest and is hard to oppose, even under a penalty, with No Refuge marginally preferred to Tees Components for the forecast spot. The selection was a model of consistency last term, goes well enough when fresh, has plenty in hand over his rivals on official BHB ratings and will not mind the underfoot conditions so it is impossible to see past him. Nigel Twiston-Davies has his string in fine form at present so Redemption has to be respected but he is a quirky customer and is hard to back with any confidence, while Ile Maurice can reasonably be expected to need the run as most of Ferdy Murphy's runners have seeming needed. Tees Components is a capable performer on his day and Keith Reveley's gelding comes here fit from the flat but he was well held in this event 12 months ago after a similar build up to this race and may again fall short of the required standard. No Refuge was useful on the flat and has some decent form to his name over hurdles including on a soft surface. With the Howard Johnson yard having struggled for most of last season, there may well be more to come from the six-year-old but My Way de Solzen has an obvious chance and he gets the vote.
My Way de Solzen (FR) 6-4fav (11-10) Always prominent, mistake 4 out, led approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace but no impression on winner after last, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Mighty Man (11-6) at Aintree 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
No Refuge (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Mid-division, hit 4th and reminder, headway approaching next, not fluent 7th, mistake 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 12, 20l behind Mighty Man (11-6) at Aintree 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Carlys Quest 25-1 (11-12) Behind, trailing before halfway, driven along and kept on from 5 out, never a factor, 8th of 12, 47l behind Asian Maze (11-7) at Punchestown 3m hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Milligan (FR) 100-1 (10-0) Chased leader, until weakened approaching 3 out, 16th of 19, well behind Monolith (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd.
Redemption 50-1 (11-2) Held up, reminder after 2nd, not fluent 5th, headway on outside 9th, every chance 3 out, not fluent 2 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 12, 45l behind Mighty Man (11-6) at Aintree 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Tees Components 15-8 (11-0) Tracked leaders, in 3rd when blundered and unseated rider at the 8th in race won by Rebel Rhythm (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f beg chs (E) sft in Dec, 4 ran.
Ile Maurice (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 10th 4 out, kept on same pace from next, 8th of 25, 8l behind Roadmaker (10-4) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl 0-130 gd in Apr.
