keen early, led, jumped left 1st, pecked next, headed 6th, tracked winner, lost 2nd 4 out, outpaced by leading pair after next, soon no impression
tracked leader on outside, led 6th, made rest, 2 lengths clear and in command last, unextended
held up 3rd and last, went 2nd 4 out, effort 2 out, 2 lengths down and held last, no chance with winner flat
Nonrunner
All eyes will be on PEDDLERS CROSS as the high-class hurdler makes his chasing debut. Donald McCain appears to have found a nice opportunity for the dual Grade 1 winner and Champion Hurdle runner-up who also has a victory between the flags to his credit. Laterly isn't bred for jumping but made great strides over hurdles adding three victories last season to the same number he scored on the Flat. He makes his debut over fences as does The Chazer, another improver over hurdles whose pedigree is much more geared to chasing. Oscar Close ran just once over fences and was well beaten but the firm ground wouldn't have suited and he's likely to do much better.
Laterly (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Led, clear to after 3rd, joined 3 out, headed next, one pace approaching last, 6th of 11, 15l behind Rumble Of Thunder (11-5) at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Oct.
Peddlers Cross (IRE) 11-8fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along and pressing for 2nd before 3 out, driven after 2 out, hit last, weakened flat, 7th of 8, 23l behind Oscar Whisky (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) gd in Apr.
The Chazer (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Raced keenly tracking leaders, weakened 3 out, 8th of 14, 14l behind Arthurian Legend (11-6) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Apr.
Oscar Close (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway on outside 11th, outpaced when pecked 4 out, no chance with leaders from next, 4th of 9, 27l behind Life Of A Luso (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf in May.
