raced keenly, led until hit 3 out and headed, soon no chance with winner, tired and wandered before next, tailed off
last and not fluent, outpaced 3rd, soon lost touch, well tailed off when pulled up before 7th
jumped well, tracked leader and always going well, led 3 out, came readily clear soon after, very easily
An interesting contest despite the dearth of runners and Paul Nicholls can probably saddle his third winner of this race in eight years with THAT'LL DO. The five-year-old should be well prepared for this hurdling introduction and showed up well in his only previous public outing when runner-up in a Hereford bumper 18 months ago. Conditions should not pose a problem and he gets the vote. Colin Tizzard sent out the winner of this last year and he is represented by Irish point victor Health Is Wealth, who is more likely to shape up as a chaser and has it to prove on this ground. Pedigree suggests that conditions may be too quick for newcomer Seekwall and Duneen Point, runner-up in a big-field maiden hurdle last year, looks the most serious threat to the selection.
Health Is Wealth (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Mid div until 3rd from 6out & 2nd 4out, ld bef 2out, went clr bef last, sow, won at Kilworth 3m ire ptp gd in Mar beating Briarsfield Paddy (12-0) by 6l, 12 ran.
Seekwall Kirkwall gelding out of Seem Of Gold.
That'll Do 4-6 (11-7) won at Bratton Down 3m ptp gf in May beating Mr Redwood (12-0) by 5l, 9 ran.
Alonso de Guzman (IRE) 13-8fav (9-7) Led, ran wide entering straight inside final 2f, soon headed, chased winner after and closed again near finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Epsom Salts (8-5) at Lingfield 1m 5f app hcp (5) pol in Nov '08 (flat).
Duneen Point (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Always prominent, in front approaching straight, joined before 2 out, narrowly headed run-in, rallied well, just failed, 2nd of 18, shd behind Captain Nash (11-9) at Limerick 3m mdn hdl gd in Jun '09.
