tracked leaders, ridden and not fluent 2 out, one pace
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders after 4 out, led approaching last, kept on, headed towards finish
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
made most, headed approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on well to lead towards finish
close up, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next
held up in rear, weakened from 4 out
held up towards rear, chased leaders 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, kept on and hung left from last
tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed approaching last, kept on
held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 4 out, kept on same pace
not fluent, always towards rear
AMERICAN TRILOGY left an indelible impression when landing the Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and he can put the top novices in their place here, while Silk Hall and Riverside Theatre are among the dangers. The selection made a mockery of one of the most competitive two mile hurdles of the season when coming home 11 lengths clear of his nearest rival Stradbrook. The handicapper could hardly miss that and the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding has been raised 17lbs as a result, meaning he starts today from a BHA mark at least 11lbs higher than any of his opponents. Into the bargain, he already has course and distance winning form to his name, he acts on any ground, and he looks likely to get the Ditcheat team off to a good start on day two. Alan King has done very well with Silk Hall since taking over from David Arbuthnot during the winter. The four-year-old looks to have improved for the switch to hurdling, and he has won at both Newbury and Stratford since the turn of the year. The ground today should be nigh on perfect, which will suit him, and further improvement is probable. Riverside Theatre has been typically well placed by Nicky Henderson to win four of his six career starts. The King¿s Theatre gelding will relish this sound surface, gets on well with Barry Geraghty, and won with so much in hand at Newbury last time that he looks to be the main danger to the selection. Tony McCoy takes the mount on Somersby for the first time today and suggested that there is still more to come when third in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle last month. The gelding can play a large part in the resurgence of Hen Knight, but he may have to wait for other days. Alfie Flitts has improved plenty during this winter and as a Listed flat performer he has a touch of class about him. The ground looks likely to suit, but he has been on the go a long time and to win this would be a remarkable effort from Alan Swinbank's team. Red Moloney does not have much to find with Somersby on their Cheltenham running and is much respected now back on better ground, but American Trilogy can land the opener.
Alfie Flits 4-1 (11-9) Held up in mid-division, smooth headway and every chance last, ridden and soon one pace, 3rd of 6, 29l behind Knockara Beau (11-9) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb.
American Trilogy (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway on bit approaching 2 out, led when mistake last, quickened clear, readily, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gs in Mar beating Stradbrook (10-1) by 11l, 27 ran.
Red Moloney (USA) 11-1 (11-7) In touch, not fluent 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on same pace from last, 6th of 20, 5l behind Go Native (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Benfleet Boy 22-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, led until after 1st, remained prominent, ridden when hit 2 out, led approaching last, headed flat, not quicken, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind I Have Dreamed (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Feb.
El Dancer (GER) 2-11fav (11-1) Always going well, tracked leader, led 3 out, clear before next, easily, won at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar beating Intac (11-8) by 15l, 4 ran.
McMurrough (IRE) 5-2fav (11-3) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, pushed along 6th, headway next, ridden after 3 out, not fluent 3 out, not fluent 2 out, weakening when not fluent last, 4th of 10, 10l behind Time For Rupert (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Punta Galera (IRE) 125-1 (10-11) Held up, not fluent 1st, headway approaching 5th, ridden after 3f out, hung left before 2f out, 3rd when not fluent last, one pace, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Valento (10-7) at Warwick 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Riverside Theatre 4-9fav (11-6) Held up in touch, headway travelling well to track leader 3 out, not much room on inside approaching 2 out, led soon after, drew readily clear on bit flat, won at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Marc Aurele (10-7) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Somersby (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Mid-division on outer, hit 3 out, headway next, soon ridden, stayed on well from last, snatched 3rd final strides, 3rd of 20, 3l behind Go Native (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Silk Hall (UAE) 4-7fav (11-4) In touch in main group, headway to chase leader after 4th, led 6th, hit 2 out, ridden when mistake last, ran on well, won at Stratford 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs in Mar beating Dinarius (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Candle 15-2 (9-11) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on well under pressure, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Spring Dream (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 4f fll hcp (3) gs in Oct (flat).
