raced keenly, tracked leader, led 4th, clear from 2 out, very easily
raced keenly, led until 4th, mostly chased winner after until 2 out, rallied into modest 2nd again run-in
always in rear, pushed along before 4th, weakened next
keen held up in last trio, pushed along and weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, not fluent and weakened 2 out
jinked left then right and unseated rider 1st
chased leaders, 2nd and hit 2 out, no chance with winner, dropped to 3rd run-in
keen in touch, modest 4th and one pace from 2 out
keen, held up in last trio, weakened soon after 3 out
ZUBAYR went out like a light in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham last month having won a Grade 2 event at Kempton earlier. Paul Nicholls' charge should have the measure of these despite carrying a penalty. Bumper winner Alphabet Bay has yet to threaten over timber though finished closer on his latest start at Ffos Las while Pure Vision struggled on his hurdling bow at Exeter and can only improve on that. Abertillery failed to win in eight starts on the Flat and makes his hurdling debut along with Approaching Star.
Zubayr (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Mid-division, outpaced after 2 out, never able to challenge, weakened last, 13th of 15, 32l behind Ivanovich Gorbatov (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gd in Mar.
Alphabet Bay (IRE) 7-4fav (11-6) Not always fluent, led until 2nd, led after 5th, headed after 2 out, no extra flat, 5th of 8, 12 1/4l behind Mr Shantu (11-9) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Catch A Thief (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, lost place after 2nd, pushed along 7th, soon well behind, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Potters Corner (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) sft in Apr.
Gifted Island (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Always in rear, losing touch from 6th, tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Closest Friend (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gd in Oct.
Pure Vision (IRE) 85-40 (11-0) Never better than mid-division, lost place 3rd, soon struggling, tailed off 4 out, 10th of 12, dist behind Brotherly Company (10-8) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (5) gs in Apr.
Yenston (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, ridden and struggling after 4th, tailed off 7th, pulled up after, at Chepstow 3m mdn (4) hvy in Mar.
Abertillery 12-1 (8-12) Midfield switched left and headway over 1f out, no impression, 6th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Avenue Des Champs (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp stks (6) pol in Mar.
Approaching Star (FR) 25-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3f out, 7th of 10, dist behind Moonshine Ridge (9-5) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Hawaian Rose 100-1 (10-10) Behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) sft in Mar.
