always behind, tailed off from 6th
led to 6th, weakened from 3 out
chased leaders, pushed along approaching 6th, weakening when mistake 2 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, chased leaders approaching next, no impression
mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden and every chance last, stayed on towards finish, just held
chased leaders early, lost place approaching 5th, tailed off from next
in touch, outpaced 7th, never dangerous
in touch, led 6th, under pressure last, all out
prominent, ridden and outpaced approaching 4 out
chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out
always behind, tailed off from 6th, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, headway on outer approaching 6th, weakened from 2 out
The Duke's Speech returns to hurdles today after three moderate chase runs and he gets the vote ahead of the unexposed Thunder Rock and course and distance winner Welcome To Unos. The selection's third in a Grade 2 contest at Aintree in April reads very well in the contest of this race, and whilst he has to give weight away to all of his opponents today, he looks a solid option. He didn't jump particularly fluently over the bigger obstacles, however he was a formidable front runner over hurdles and if picking up in the same mood, he might just be hard to peg back. Jonjo O'Neill saddles Thunder Rock who stepped up markedly on his debut to force a dead-heat 17 days ago at Plumpton. The front-two were a fair way clear of the rest that day and the form looks fairly solid, however this is a tougher race today and without the surging force of AP McCoy today, he may have to settle for place money. Our Jasper's win last month will be a confidence booster for the horse and he could improve again, however this looks trickier with more competition up-front, however he has shown an aptitude for this ground so he must have leading claims. As must Welcome To Unos who has a fine course record. His win three weeks ago came over the bigger obstacles on similar ground, however he had previously looked at his best on better ground. His two hurdles runs prior to that win were pretty woeful so it remains to be seen whether he is truly back on track, so we will reluctantly pass him over, in favour of the selection, Tom Tate's The Duke's Speech.
The Duke's Speech (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Held up, headway approaching 5th, outpaced when pulled up 3 out in race won by Lennon (11-12) at Catterick 2m nov chs (3) gs in Dec, 10 ran.
Kadount (FR) 33-1 (11-5) In touch, lost place before 3 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Border Castle (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec, 16 ran.
Through The Rye 12-1 (11-7) Led to after 1st, chased winner until lost place after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression, 4th of 7, 13l behind Torkinking (11-8) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl (2) hvy.
Karathaena (IRE) 18-1 (10-8) Mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, ridden after next, no impression, 5th of 7, 20l behind Torkinking (11-8) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl (2) hvy.
Thunder Rock (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) In touch, headway after 3 out, kept on well, joined leader on line, won at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft deadheating with Santando (11-5), 10 ran.
Michaels Dream (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, led 9th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, 6th of 11, 27l behind Allistathebarrista (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Welcome To Unos 11-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, headway approaching 8th, led after 4 out, headed after next, led again 2 out, stayed on well, won at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft beating Sands Rising (10-12) by 5l, 7 ran.
Our Jasper 4-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, led before 2 out, kept on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Stolen Moments (10-12) by 2l, 12 ran.
