led, pushed along and strongly pressed 2 out, soon ridden and headed narrowly before last, rallied to regain lead 110 yards out on run-in, gamely asserted close home
chased front pair, hit 2nd, headway to track leader before 2 out, pressed leader 2 out, led narrowly before last, ridden and headed 110 yards out, stayed on but no extra towards finish
tracked leader close up, hit 4th, pushed along before 2 out and outpaced by front pair, not fluent 2 out, kept on one pace
raced in rear, in touch, pushed along before home turn, soon lost touch and eased well before 2 out
GOSHEN bids to repeat last year’s success in this and looks to have strong claims of doing so. Gary Moore’s charge should have the measure of these despite carrying a penalty for a recent Listed win at Sandown. Adagio looks the only threat on these terms having gone close in the Grade 3 Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham last time while Faivoir is preferred to Llandinabo Lad reverting to the smaller obstacles though both of the latter pair have plenty to find at the weights.
Goshen (FR) 11-5jfav (11-11) Led until 2nd, chased leader, hung right and led again before 2 out, ridden clear between last two, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 2m lst (1) gs in Feb beating Guard Your Dreams (11-11) by 15l, 5 ran.
Adagio (GER) 11-1 (11-12) Soon tracking leaders, went 2nd ridden to challenge last, went 2nd and stayed on run-in with every chance, found no extra towards finish, 2nd of 19, 3/4l behind West Cork (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Faivoir (FR) 15-8 (11-8) Jumped left at times, tracked leading pair, outpaced and no chance from 2 out, went 2nd closing stages, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 3 1/4l behind War Lord (11-8) at Lingfield 2m (2) hvy in Jan.
Llandinabo Lad 18-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, pushed along and led 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened between last two, 6th of 12, 17l behind Tritonic (11-0) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) gs in Dec.
