led to 1st, tracked leader, led again 4th, hard pressed when hit 2 out, ridden and headed when not fluent last, kept on until no extra towards finish
tracked leaders, headway to challenge before 2 out, led last, ridden and edged left flat, kept on well towards finish
always behind
led 1st, held 4th, chased leader, ridden and lost place after 3 out, soon beaten
behind, struggling 4 out, never dangerous
in touch, lost place 4 out, behind from next
keen early, held up mid-division, lost place 5th, soon weakened
keen early, held up, mistake 2nd, 10 lengths 5th and no impression when mistake 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, lost place 5th, some headway under pressure approaching 2 out, never on terms
behind when hit 3rd, struggling 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Rightway Star certainly looks the better of the two Don McCain runners in this contest ahead of Never Ask and should appreciate the drop back in trip today but preference is for Isn't That Lucky, who gets the vote. The selection showed decent form in bumpers last season, including when mid-division in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival, and Jonjo O'Neill's gelding stepped up on his hurdling debut effort when driven out to beat Nicky Henderson's Schiehallion at Sandown recently. A reproduction of that effort may well suffice. George Moore's Island Key has shown signs of ability but needs to improve to trouble the judge, while Simple Gifts represents a yard in-form but is hard to recommend on all known form. Rightway Star has every chance of giving weight away all round but Isn't That Lucky looks to be going the right way over hurdles now and he is preferred.
Rightway Star (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) In touch, weakened from 4 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Viking Rebel (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 6f nov hdl (2) gs in Feb, 14 ran.
Isn't That Lucky 10-1 (11-2) Held up, steady progress from 5th, challenged 2 out, led last, kept on, ridden out, won at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Feb beating Schiehallion (11-2) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Instant Shot (IRE) 40-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, 12th of 13, 37l behind Jamestown Bay (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Island Key (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Held up, reminders after 5th, weakened 7th, 6th of 11, 25l behind Mirage Dore (10-13) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf.
Macs Island (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, kept on, never troubled leaders, 8th of 16, 38l behind Realism (11-3) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Never Ask (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Prominent, 2nd 5f out, edged slightly left well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 13l behind Vacario (10-9) at Hereford 1m 5f nhf (6) gd in Feb.
Newby Abbey (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, 15th of 17, well behind Snap Tie (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Empty Sky 20-1 (10-8) Towards rear, ridden and some headway from over 3f out to chase leaders, no impression from 2f out, 6th of 13, 15l behind Merrydown (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (5) gd in Feb.
Prioryjo 25-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Tamimi's History (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs, 9 ran.
Simple Gifts 25-1 (11-0) Badly hampered and unseated rider in race won by Red Perfection (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 1f mrs mdn hdl (5) gs, 11 ran.
Shady Olive 100-1 (9-13) In touch until weakened 3 out, behind when fell 2 out in race won by Romping Home (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs nov hdl (4) gd, 9 ran.
