held up towards rear, last when mistake 3 out, soon weakened
led until 4th, ridden 3 out, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, closed 2 out, soon shaken up, challenged last, driven and led flat, stayed on well to assert towards finish
held up in rear, closed on bend after 3 out, led last, driven and headed flat, edged left, held towards finish
held up towards rear, closed on bend after 3 out, led after next, headed last, unable to quicken inside final 100 yards
chased leader, led 4th, ridden after 3 out, headed after next, 4th and beaten last, weakened flat
NonRunner
Irving started odds-on for this a year ago but was never travelling and eventually pulled up. That was obviously not his form and he didn't run again until the Fighting Fifth where he beat Apple's Jade a nose but again disappointed at Sandown earlier this month. Rayvin Black was the winner of this last year and also ran very well when runner-up to Sceau Royal in the Elite Hurdle here in November. He was attempting to concede Buveur D'Air 4lb when narrowly beaten at Sandown and arrives in very good form. YANWORTH's only defeat in his last seven was by Yorkhill in the Neptune Investment at Cheltenham. He probably wasn't suited by Kempton in the Christmas Hurdle but his stamina came into play and he was well on top at the finish - he should have few problems enhancing his Champion Hurdle prospects. Ch'tibello was around five lengths behind in that latter race and is another who looked as though a stiffer track would be to his advantage.
Irving 9-2 (11-8) Tracked clear leader, closer 3rd, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and no impression between last 2, soon dropped to 3rd, weakened, 3rd of 4, 11 1/2l behind Buveur D'air (11-4) at Sandown 2m lst (1) hvy in Feb.
Rayvin Black 12-1 (11-8) Led at start, led and soon clear, jumped slowly and reduced lead 3rd, ridden and hung right before 2 out, 1 length ahead last, headed and outpaced final 100 yards, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Buveur D'air (11-4) at Sandown 2m lst (1) hvy in Feb.
Yanworth 5-4fav (11-7) Never that fluent, tracked leading pair, not fluent 2nd and 5th, pushed along to close before 2 out, 2nd between last two, driven to lead approaching the last, stayed on strongly to forge clear run-in, won at Kempton 2m (1) gd in Dec beating The New One (11-7) by 3 1/4l, 5 ran.
Ch'tibello (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Raced keenly, held up in last pair, tracked leading trio 3rd, pushed along and slightly outpaced after 3 out, plugged on into modest 3rd run-in, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 5, 5 1/2l behind Yanworth (11-7) at Kempton 2m (1) gd in Dec.
Sceau Royal (FR) 9-4 (11-7) Held up towards rear and in touch, ridden before last, weakened run-in, 4th of 6, 8 1/2l behind Irving (11-7) at Newcastle 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Melodic Rendezvous 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, pushed along from 3rd, lost place 5th, ridden after 4 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Seven Nation Army (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Tracked leading pair, hit 2nd, pushed along before 5th, soon outpaced and no chance with 1st two, 3rd of 5, 31 1/2l behind Finian's Oscar (11-11) at Exeter 2m 1f lst (1) sft in Feb.
