led, clear straight away, mistake 2nd, reduced advantage when not fluent 3 out, mistake 2 out, headed before last, beaten and one pace
tracked clear leader, closed 3 out, led on bit before last, shaken up and ran on well flat
held up in 3rd, closed 3 out, ridden before next, soon beaten, weakened last
held up in 4th, not fluent 5th, closed 3 out, blundered 2 out, went 3rd approaching last, stayed on flat
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
It's probably a wise move to put NEARBY back over hurdles as he clearly wasn't enjoying himself over the larger obstacles. He'd be the one to beat if reproducing the form of his third in the County Hurdle at The Festival in March and trainer Philip Hobbs has won this three times in the last 10 years. Pepe Simo and Fahrisee are others switching back to hurdles from fences but the former has shown he is no slouch over timber and looks the main danger as Tarkari often goes off too quickly and struggles to get home. Via Galilei needs a strong gallop but should get that here and won't be far away if fully wound-up.
Nearby 5-6fav (11-4) Took keen hold, held up, headway 7th, 2 lenghts off winner when mistake 3 out, soon beaten, mistake 2 out, demoted to 3rd last, 3rd of 5, 16l behind Lancetto (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m nov chs (4) gd in Sep.
Pepe Simo (IRE) 5-2fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 7th, jumped right and not fluent 9th, led 3 out, jumped right 2 out, clear when jumped right and hit last, driven out, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Apr beating Safari Journey (11-7) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Via Galilei (IRE) 11-2 (10-4) Held up in rear, not fluent 6th, headway approaching 3 out, not much room and outpaced by leaders 2 out, no impression, 5th of 9, 11l behind Sanctuaire (10-8) at Ayr 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
First Avenue 5-2fav (11-3) In touch, pushed along 4th, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 7, 30l behind Hypnotic Gaze (11-4) at Doncaster 2m clm hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Tarkari (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Held up behind, headway before 2 out, ridden and one pace, 5th of 15, 14l behind Rumble Of Thunder (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Sep.
Fahrisee (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Led until after 4th, tracked leader until 8th, lost touch 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, lost 3rd flat, 4th of 5, 31l behind Pure Faith (10-12) at Aintree 2m nov chs (4) gd in May.
