made all, set strong gallop, jumped well, ridden and ran on
not fluent, chased winner, challenged winner last, stumbled on landing, soon eased
in rear, ridden 3 out, went remote 3rd approaching last, no chance with leading pair
chased leading pair, no chance from 3 out, weakened next, brought down last
in rear, hit 3 out, tried to run out last, fell last
A Listed winner on the Flat in Germany and a useful handicapper when with Luca Cumani, WALDVOGEL got off the mark at the second time of asking over hurdles for current connections. He beat Aikman a shade cosily at Ayr last time and, with further progress expected and AP McCoy in the plate, Nicky Richards' charge looks the one to beat. Midnight Opera had an off-day at Wincanton on his latest start but his earlier victory at Aintree marks him out as the main danger to the selection. The remainder will do well to get involved though all-weather winner Laudatory is having only his second start over hurdles and should improve.
Midnight Opera 15-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden after 6th, weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, 31l behind The Cayterers (10-3) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf.
Waldvogel (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, mistake 1st, headway on inner 4 out, ridden before 2 out, led after last, kept on well, won at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan beating Aikman (11-1) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Hatchet Man 20-1 (8-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 7th of 20, 6l behind Digit (8-4) at Redcar 7f 2yo clm (6) gd in Oct '08 (flat).
Murdoch 16-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, well hit 4th, well behind next, went poor 4th approaching 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 11, well behind Alla Svelta (11-1) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gs.
Caunay 100-1 (10-0) Mid-division, pushed along and lost place after 2nd, weakened after 3 out, unseated rider last, in a race won by Sunley Peace (11-1) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) gf, 10 ran.
Laudatory 11-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 10, 28l behind Smart Catch (11-1) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.