held up mid division, mistake 1st, headway ninth, ridden to challenge approaching 2 out, soon weakened
in touch, effort 3 out, jumped slowly next, soon weakened
behind when unseated rider 6th
held up towards rear, jumped right 2nd, headway 3 out, soon driven and no impression
tracked leader, hit 10th, driven and every chance next, led last, ridden out
led, soon clear, driven and challenged from 3 out, headed last, stayed on well
tracked leaders, mistake 7th, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 7th, chased leaders 10th, effort 2 out, kept on same pace
behind, jumped slow 7th, badly blundered 8th, pulled up before next
With a clear round DANEHILL WILLY is thought good enough to win on his chase debut, while both Dishdasha and Cortinas are decent horses and are worthy of respect. Danehill Willy failed to get to the track last season after sustaining back injuries. He was good enough to land back-to-back novice hurdles at Wincanton and Uttoxeter in 2007 and caught the eye when finishing fourth of 24 in the Swinton Handicap Hurdle at Haydock on his return to the track. If he can translate that form over the larger obstacles he will be difficult to beat. Dishdasha has a penalty to carry after winning at Ludlow in April. He has been beaten off a mark of 130 over fences recently and will certainly fare better running with a penalty in a novice chases, however he will not be able to give weight away to the selection. Cortinas has been shaping well in a couple of chases recently without getting his head in front. He will win over fences shortly but will have to settle for place prize money this time around. Danehill Willy loves fast ground, has Tony McCoy booked to ride and looks sure to win a few chases this summer.
Dishdasha (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Well in rear, mistake 8th, headway after 4 out, stayed on to go 3rd flat, never near front pair, 3rd of 9, 17l behind Passato (10-2) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Schelm (GER) 3-1 (10-12) Mid-division, steady headway 10th, led going well before last, shaken up, drew clear flat, won at Sedgefield 2m nov stks (4) gf beating Woody Valentine (11-2) by 9l, 10 ran.
Brandy And Pep (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Always behind, 17th of 20, well behind Cranky Corner (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f 5yo mdn hdl sft in May.
Cortinas (GER) 2-1fav (11-0) In touch, headway to chase leader 7th, mistake and led 2 out, soon pushed clear, idled and hit last, not run on and headed flat, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Sendani (11-0) at Fakenham 2m beg chase (4) gf in May.
Danehill Willy (IRE) 66-1 (10-6) Close up on outside, ridden and effort 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, 4th of 24, 1 3/4l behind Joe Jo Star (11-0) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in May.
Mam Ratagan 100-1 (11-0) Pulled hard, led and soon clear, reduced advantage after 11th, headed last, weakened flat, 4th of 8, 8l behind Cruchain (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f beg chase (4) sft.
Ralahine (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) (cp) hdwy 9; led 13 til hdd & wknd flat, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Chopra's Choice (11-7) at Trecoed 3m ptp.
Histoire De Moeurs (FR) 2-1fav (10-7) Mid-division, effort 8th, weakened after next, 5th of 9, well behind Silmi (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov stks (4) gs in May.
Pure Zest (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Led until after 2nd, chased leaders until lost place 7th, behind when pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Font (11-0) at Haydock 2m 4f beg chase (3) gd in May, 9 ran.
Silmi 3-1 (10-12) Held up, hit 7th, headway 8th, led next, clear from 2 out, eased heavily towards finish, won at Cartmel 2m 1f nov stks (4) gs in May beating Honour's Dream (10-12) by 32l, 9 ran.
