in rear, closed on leading pair 9th, ridden 2 out, soon beaten
led, headed 2nd, tracked clear winner, closed 9th, ridden when pecked on landing 2 out, kept on same pace
pulled hard to post, keen led 2nd, soon clear, jumped left 7th, reduced lead 9th, pushed clear approaching last, eased towards finish
Al three make their chasing debuts but STYLE DE GARDE is clear at the weights on hurdling form. Nicky Henderson’s charge has won twice over timber and finished runner-up in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham in March when finishing well ahead of the re-opposing Embole. He’s undergone wind surgery since last in action in April and should also have the measure of Long Call on these terms.
Long Call 100-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, ridden and well beaten after 2 out, 15th of 16, 33 1/2l behind Storm Rising (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Embole (FR) 9-2 (10-11) Led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 6, 11 1/4l behind Mystic Sky (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Style De Garde (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, hit 5th, not fluent next, ridden and weakening when hampered on bend before 3 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Aintree 2m (1) sft in Apr.
