tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd after 4 out, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
with leader, soon tracked leader, led 4th, clear after 2 out, readily
held up mid-division in 5th, mistake 4 out, headway approaching next, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression
led, mistake 2nd, jumped left 3rd, headed and mistake 4th, weakened after next
held up towards rear, tailed off from 4 out, pulled up before next
held up mid-division and keen, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear and keen, headway approaching 3 out, in 4th and held when jumped badly left last, kept on to take 3rd near finish
held up towards rear, pushed along 2nd, never a danger
in touch in 4th, went 3rd approaching 2 out, one pace and not fluent last, no extra and lost 3rd near finish
held up towards rear and keen, headway on inside to chase leaders approaching 3 out, soon weakened
DARE ME brings solid form in last season's championship bumpers to the table and if he can translate that to hurdling, he really could be anything so expect to see that reflected accordingly in his price. Kasbadali has an eyecatching pedigree - not least as his dam was a prolific winner over hurdles in France. Dean's Grange won a maiden hurdle at Kempton last season and did not disgrace himself on a seasonal reappearance over course-and-distance at the last meeting. Sunwise won a maiden for John Oxx in Ireland before joining Paul Nicholls for a campaign over timber. Interestingly, he is not tried in the blinkers that accompanied that sole success on the flat. Le Roi Max has not shown a great deal thus far but with Nigel Twiston-Davies firing in winners at will, he should not be discounted.
Dean's Grange 10-1 (11-5) Chased leaders in 3rd, challenged and every chance 2 out, soon ridden, kept on from last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 11l behind Dunraven Storm (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Dare Me (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway 3f out, switched left over 2f out, hung left and chased winner over 1f out, soon bumped, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 20, 1 1/2l behind Megastar (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Kasbadali (FR) 18-1 (11-2) Towards rear, pushed along and looked struggling 6f out, still plenty to do entering straight over 3f out, headway under pressure over 2f out, went 2nd on inside 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, led on line, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in May beating Sweet Irony (10-12) by shd, 14 ran.
Le Roi Max (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, hit 4 out, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 6th of 10, 34l behind Time Machine (10-12) at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Sep.
Lindengrove 250-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 7f out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Giordano Bruno (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Mar '09.
Magic Show 7-4fav (9-0) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, won at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcap (5) gd in Sep '07 beating Tafiya (9-4) by 3l, 13 ran (flat).
Puerto Azul (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Mistake 2nd, always in rear, tailed off, 7th of 11, 31l behind William Hogarth (11-5) at Chepstow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Reefer Beefer (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Held up in last, pushed along 8f out, effort when hung left 3f out, no impression, 5th of 9, 28l behind Dunraven Storm (11-9) at Exeter 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Sunwise (USA) 7-4fav (10-7) Tracked leader, took closer order 2nd, pushed along approaching 3 out, every chance last, kept on and lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Real Treasure (10-10) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Cruise In Style (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear and keen, headway approaching 3 out, jumped badly left and weakened 3 out, 10th of 13, well behind Dunraven Storm (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
