led until headed approaching 4 out, weakened next
chased leader to 3rd, in touch until going 2nd again 7th, led 4 out, headed just after 3 out, weakened quickly approaching last
mid-division, ridden along 4 out, never nearer
in touch, ridden after weakened quickly after 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, headway approaching 7th, chased winner from 2 out, hard ridden and ran on flat
held up in touch, led just after 3 out, all out
towards rear, headway after 3 outt to be nearest at finish
in rear, mistake 6th, never a danger
held up towards rear, ridden and weakened 4 out
held up towards rear, headway on inside 6th, ridden and weakened 2 out
keen, chased leader from 3rd to 7th, weakened quickly 3 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, switched left after 3 out, ridden 2 out, not quicken
in touch, ridden and weakened after 7th, tailed off
refused to race
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
Inch Pride could provide the answer here, with Yes Sir and Howle Hill possibly proving to be his strongest rivals. It is hard to get away from Martin Pipe in these types of affairs and the selection looks to have got in here with a nice racing weight. A four-timer winner last season, he probably found the trip beyond him when beaten at Perth on his final start. Back at this trip, he is very much respected. The four-timer-seeking Yes Sir holds claims even though he has been raised a further nine pounds for his latest win, while Mr Cool, a Grade 2 hurdle winner in 2003, would hold a chance if fit following just one run since that win referred to. Le Duc is arguably not at his best on testing going, but the Triumph Hurdle eighth Yankeedoodledandy should win races this year and is respected. Howle Hill should also progress this year, and he did ok on the Flat during the summer too, although he has yet to prove himself on going this testing. Lacdoudal, who proved himself a smart chaser last season, the fit-from-the-flat Forager, and Mr Dinglawi, who showed a liking for today's conditions when winning over course and distance last time, all hold claims, while Salut St Cloud, who will be fit from the Flat, can't be ruled out on the best of his novice form. Spring Pursuit is another possible off his low weight under these conditions but, for the selection, we will stick with Inch Pride.
Yes Sir (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Made all, unchallenged, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gs in Aug beating Darrias (10-13) by 8l, 10 ran.
Mr Cool 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 17, 23l behind Rooftop Protest (9-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gd in Sept.
Le Duc (FR) 40-1 (11-6) Towards rear, jumped slowly 10th, beaten before next, 7th of 9, 24l behind Well Chief (11-10) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Apr.
Yankeedoodledandy (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) In touch, hit 3 out, weakened after next, 8th of 23, 15l behind Penzance (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Howle Hill (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 4th, no impression approaching 2 out, 16th of 25, 17l behind Essex (11-6) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Feb.
Lacdoudal (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 12th, ridden to chase leader approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 33l behind Like-A-Butterfly (11-2) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Apr.
Attorney General (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, ridden 3 out, no response, 19th of 22, 23l behind Oulart (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (A) gd in Mar.
Forager 14-1 (11-3) Held up, reminders after 4th, stumbled and unseated rider on bend before 6th unseated rider 5 out in race won by Rooftop Protest (9-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gd in Sept, 17 ran.
Salut Saint Cloud 10-11fav (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance last, stayed on flat, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Rhapsody Rose (10-9) at Towcester 2m 4yo nov hdl (D) gs in Mar.
Sharp Rigging (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd 8th, ridden after 3 out, weakened flat, 8th of 20, 13l behind Genghis (10-13) at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Apr.
Inch Pride (IRE) 5-6fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, every chance when hit next, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Trisons Star (11-4) at Perth 3m nh nov hdl (B) sft in Apr.
Spring Pursuit 12-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway 2 out, ridden next, never reached leaders, 4th of 11, 9l behind Nyrche (11-9) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in Mar.
Mr Dinglawi (IRE) (10-8) Led to 6th, soon beaten when headed, 7th of 8, 38l behind Ange De Villez (10-3) at Auteuil 2m 2f hdl sft in Apr.
Kalambari (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Held up rear, ridden and headway approaching 4 out, soon one pace, 6th of 18, 8l behind Mouseski (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd.
Give Me Love (FR) 9-1 (10-2) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 25l behind Ladalko (11-3) at Ayr 2m 6f hcp hdl (B) gd in Apr.
