held up, pushed along after 4 out, soon chasing leaders, went 2nd 2 out, led after last, stayed on well
held up towards rear, ridden to chase leaders after 4 out, weakened next
led, not fluent 7th, headed 9th, weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, not fluent 4th, led 9th, headed 4 out, faded from 2 out
held up mid-division, went 2nd 3 out, one pace from next
towards rear, ridden after 4 out, weakened next
chased leaders, took closer order 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, pushed along and struggling approaching 9th, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, led 4 out, ridden after next, blundered last, soon headed, one pace
held up in rear, ridden after 8th, soon struggling
The meeting starts with a bang with this terrific contest and we will take MIGHTY MAN to provide a fairytale ending as he is selected ahead of Cheltenham hero Big Bucks and Fair Along. Henry Daly and connections have had to be patient with the selection after he suffered a career-ending injury at Punchestown in April 2007. He made his reappearance in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham and was far from disgraced behind Big Bucks where he tired late on. He has an 8lb pull in the weights today, is back at a track that he loves (won this race 06 and 07) and on ground that suits he looks a major player. The obvious horse to beat is Big Bucks who stayed on dourly at Prestbury Park to win a World Hurdle. Considering that he is quintessentially a chaser, he has had a marvellous season and is not to be underestimated. Whilst the track may not suit his strengths as much as Cheltenham, the fact that he has won over this course and distance over fences means that he could be hard to beat. Duc De Regniere's season has not quite gone as may have been hoped following a win at Newbury in November, whilst the admirable front-runner Lough Derg is a pleasure to watch but ultimately just short of this class. Pettifour and Fair Along have plenty to find on Cheltenham running but the former's stable are now in better nick and it would be unwise to cross them off the shortlist. AP McCoy is back in the saddle on Hills Of Aran and he is another hardy battler who doesn't know when he's beaten but it is likely to be today. A real treat in store for punters who can place their faith in a mighty performance from the majestic Mighty Man.
Big Buck's (FR) 6-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, hit 7th, headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd after 2 out, challenging when mistake last, led flat, edged left towards finish, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 3m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar beating Punchestowns (11-10) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran.
Duc De Regniere (FR) 2-1 (11-13) Held up, went 3rd approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened from last, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Kasbah Bliss (11-13) at Haydock 3m 1f hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Lough Derg (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Led until after 3rd, behind from after 6th, 19th of 27, well behind Ninetieth Minute (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Pettifour (IRE) 66-1 (11-10) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway after 9th, weakened approaching 2 out, 11th of 14, 44l behind Big Buck's (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Fair Along (GER) 14-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened well before last, 9th of 14, 35l behind Big Buck's (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Faasel (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) In touch, behind from 5th, struggling 8th, some headway next, tailed off when pulled up before 12th, in a race won by Cloudy Lane (11-10) at Haydock 3m Ltd hcp chs (1) gd in Jan, 10 ran.
Hills Of Aran 9-2 (11-8) Made all, ridden after 3 out, quickened approaching 2 out, kept on gamely flat, readily, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in Mar beating Font (9-9) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Master Eddy 4-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, driven along from 4 out, went 2nd between last 2, led last, driven out, won at Newbury 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Mar '07 beating Double Dizzy (11-8) by 6l, 9 ran.
Mighty Man (FR) 28-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, squeezed along after 3 out, weakened well before last, 5th of 14, 26l behind Big Buck's (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
No Refuge (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) In rear, stepped at 1st, losing touch 9th, 10th of 14, 39l behind Big Buck's (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
