took keen hold tracking leading pair, not fluent 2nd, joined winner 3rd, pushed along and lost 2nd 3 out (normal 4 out), weakened before next, well beaten when fell last
tracked winner until 3rd, chased leading pair, weakened 3 out (normal 4 out)
held up tracking leading trio, effort on inside disputing 2nd when slight stumble 3 out (normal 4 out), mistake 2 out (normal 3 out), soon one pace and no chance with leading duo
held up in rear, headway to 4th at 4th, went 2nd 3 out, driven bypassing omitted 2 out, soon no impression
made virtually all, joined 3rd, pushed along and in command before last, stayed on strongly flat, kept up to work
last pair, dropped to last 4th, soon lost touch, tailed off
With four winners in the last six renewals, anything saddled by Paul Nicholls has to be taken seriously. For Two didn't manage a victory for the Ditcheat handler last season but could be a different proposition this time around and it would be no surprise to see him reverse last year's form with Handazan. Swynmor would have won the Grade 1 Finale Hurdle here in January had he not fallen at the last but that appeared to effect his confidence. Leo Luna and Pistol both boasted decent form last season and Another Hero was unbeaten prior to his second at Bangor, though may need further. BOB'S WORLD might be a bit of value in this judged on his second at Sandown in April. He may steady progress last season and still looks to be on a fair mark.
Swnymor (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Mistake 1st, mid-division, headway on outside 3 out, effort next, weakened before last, 9th of 17, 47l behind Our Conor (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Pistol (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Mid-division, hit 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Flaxen Flare (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (4yo) (1) gs in Mar, 24 ran.
For Two (FR) 1-3fav (11-5) Chased leader until after 2nd, chased leading pair, went 2nd again travelling well before 2 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra and well held final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Knight Of Pleasure (10-9) at Sandown 2m 4yo hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Another Hero (IRE) 13-8fav (11-11) Held up, headway after 6th, chased winner 4 out, ridden after 2 out, no impression approaching last, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Clondaw Draft (11-5) at Bangor 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Handazan (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Led, narrowly headed 3 out, chased leader and every chance next, ridden and one pace when lost 2nd approaching last, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Leo Luna (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo hdl (4) gs in Mar.
In The Crowd (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, pushed along before 6th, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 8, 22l behind Sir Fredlot (11-4) at Stratford 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Apr.
Leo Luna 16-1 (11-10) Chased leading trio, went 3rd after 3 out, chased leader well before 2 out, ridden to lead 2 out, headed before last, stayed on same pace flat, lost 2nd final 135 yards, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Ptit Zig (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Bob's World 9-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway when jumped slowly and lost place 5th, hit 3 out, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, went 3rd between last 2, soon switched left, hit last, stayed on to 2nd final 135 yards, no impression on winner, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Ptit Zig (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Lac Sacre (FR) 66-1 (11-2) Chased leader, pushed along after 3 out, soon lost 2nd and weakened quickly well before next, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Ptit Zig (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
