held up, went 3rd approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened from last
held up in rear, smooth headway after 3 out, led after last, pushed clear flat, impressive
led, clear approaching 3 out, headed after last, no chance with winner
with leader, blundered 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
prominent, joined leader 2nd, lost place after next, behind from after 6th
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
KASBAH BLISS simply has to win this in order to maintain his lofty perch at the top of the World Hurdle market but Duc De Regniere and Hills Of Aran will provide a stiff enough task on reappearance. Francois Doumen's charge was last seen out in the Prix Du Cadran where he was far from disgraced. His stock appears to have risen despite his absence but his second in last year's World Hurdle to Inglis Drever rates the best form on offer. He won this race last year and should win it again. Duc De Regniere was a failed chaser but all credit goes to Nicky Henderson for finding his niche. He handled soft ground when trained in France but was very much put in his place by Punchestowns when the pair met last time out. Hills Of Aran looks stiffly handicapped at present. He is entitled to take a tilt at this race and could pick up place money in the event of any failure from the market leaders. Turpin Green has regressed badly over chase fences and this looks a last ditch attempt. Accordello has a tough task at these terms. Third in last year's renewal, she is sure to plug on at the death. Sweetheart is an exceedingly rare Jamie Poulton visitor to Haydock. She put up a career best to chase home United at Ascot but that form wouldn't be good enough to win this. Kasbah Bliss has a chance to put his World Hurdle credentials on the line and can do so.
Duc De Regniere (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Mid-division, hit 9th, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on to go 2nd after 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 11l behind Punchestowns (11-7) at Ascot 3m 1f hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
Kasbah Bliss (FR) 9-1 (11-10) Held up, headway 8th, led and hit last, ridden and headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 17, 1l behind Inglis Drever (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Hills Of Aran 40-1 (11-7) Held up and keen, mid-division, ridden and weakened 2 out, 6th of 14, 7l behind Chief Yeoman (10-10) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Jan.
Turpin Green (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent 9th and lost place, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next, 7th of 8, 25l behind Big Buck's (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Accordello (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced after 9th, plugged on, 4th of 8, 38l behind United (11-0) at Ascot 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Sweetheart 12-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, ridden 2 out, every chance when blundered last, no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 5l behind United (11-0) at Ascot 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
