held up and behind, steady headway from 3 out, chased leaders next, led before last, kept on gamely flat, all out near finish
held up towards rear, effort approaching 3 out, soon beaten
chased leader, led 4th to next, stayed prominent, every chance 2 out, weakened before last
towards rear, stayed on under pressure after 3 out, never dangerous
held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, weakened soon after 2 out
never better than mid-division
held up in rear, headway and in touch 5th, weakened before next
in touch, weakened 2 out
chased leaders until weakened approaching 2 out
in touch, hit 4th, went 2nd 2 out, led going easily between last two, headed when blundered last, no extra flat
behind, steady headway after 3 out, kept on under pressure approaching last, not reach leaders
in mid-division until blundered 4th and soon behind
in mid-division, weakened 2 out
chased leaders, led 5th, headed between last two, soon weakened
in touch, weakened approaching 2 out
well in rear, pushed along 3rd, stayed on under pressure after 2 out, never dangerous
led 1st to 4th, weakened approaching 3 out
in rear, pushed along 4th, still plenty to do approaching 2 out, 7th jumping last, strong run flat gaining at finish, just failed
in mid-division, ridden and no impression leaders after 3 out
Paul Nicholls has caused quite a bit of angst among his fellow trainers by leaving in Rigmarole, causing most to run from out of the weights, including last year's runner-up Balapour who is taken to go one better, with Monkerhostin, Adamant Approach and Harchibald major players as well. If you are out of pocket as the getting out stakes looms, then you will surely be pinning your hopes on one more in hope than optimism, but there is light at the end of the tunnel as the County Hurdle invariably goes to a horse no longer than 20-1 in the betting, so many can be ruled out straightaway, especially as they will have to carry much more than their allotted weight thanks to Mr Nicholls. It remains to be seen how his main hope Rigmarole will come out of his Champion Hurdle exertions, and his other three runners, Sporazene, Albuhera and Le Passing, make just as much appeal, although Albuhera also failed here on Tuesday. Harchibold has been ante-post favourite this week, but is 7lb out of the weights with a 4lb penalty and is much worse off compared to his Irish rating. In addition, Balapour meets him on 9lb better terms than at Leopardstown, and in addition has run well here before, notably when fourth in the Triumph Hurdle two years ago. Although without a win to his credit for some time, Patrick O'Brady's charge has plenty going for him and will be partnered by Carl Llewellyn. Strictly on last year's running, Through The Rye must have a tremendous chance as well, having finished a close third and he is in fact weighted to beat Balapour. Now with Alan Swinbank, his style of running leaves him susceptible to a late charge, but he is worth noting for a place. With the ground drying up all the time, Grave Doubts must come into the reckoning if we take his run behind Rigmarole and Intersky Falcon in Wincanton's Kingwell Hurdle at face value. He has had one or two unlucky outings for one reason or another and can go well at a big price. Monkerhostin has been as tough as teak this season and is one of the favourites, while Adamant Approach has been chasing in the main since falling when looking all over the winner in the Supreme Novices¿ in 2002. He brings a touch of class to the race, and if his jumping holds up, can give the Irish yet another string to their bow. Last year's win by Spirit Leader was the first Irish success since 1981, and it could be that Balapour, second 12 months ago, will add to that here.
