tracked leading pair, pushed along before 2 out, went 2nd after 2 out, kept on same pace run-in, never going pace to challenge
tracked leaders in 5th, mistake reminder and dropped to last 5th, pushed along in 5th before 3 out, weakened before next
jumped well, made all, 2 lengths ahead 2 out, stayed on gamely, unchallenged
tracked leaders in 4th, outpaced before 2 out, switched left and plugged on into 3rd last, never going pace to challenge
shade keen, raced wide, led briefly, tracked winner, ridden and no impression when lost 2nd after 2 out, weakened before the last
held up in 6th, gained a place 5th, dropped to last again 4 out, plugged on into modest 3rd briefly before the last, weakened run-in
The last two winners of this Grade 2 lock horns but the 6lb that THISTLECRACK receives from Unowhatimeanharry could be decisive. The former hasn’t raced over hurdles since winning the Stayers’ Hurdle at Aintree in April of last year but he’s a multiple Grade 1 winner who goes well fresh so should take all the beating. Harry Fry’s classy stayer is still rated 7lb lower than the Tizzard’s nine-year-old, despite his exploits over the last two years, but he has already won a race this term so won’t go down without a fight. Colin's Sister showed a better turn of foot than Wholestone in the West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby and she’s a smart mare but Taquin Du Seuil hasn’t won over timber since 2012. Beer Goggles has developed into a useful handicapper but could find himself outclassed here.
Unowhatimeanharry 8-11fav (11-6) Tracked leader, challenged after 3 out, pushed into narrow lead after 2 out, ridden flat, stayed on well, won at Aintree 2m 4f (2) sft in Nov beating Value At Risk (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 3 ran.
Wholestone (IRE) 2-1jfav (11-3) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, headway 8th, challenged 3 out, switched right flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Colin's Sister (10-10) at Wetherby 3m (1) sft in Nov.
Beer Goggles (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, outpaced approaching next, rallied flat, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 10, 9 1/4l behind Louis' Vac Pouch (10-6) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Taquin Du Seuil (FR) 20-1 (11-7) In touch, ridden after 2 out, kept on to take 4th place run-in, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Yanworth (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gd in Apr.
Thistlecrack 4-9fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, pecked 9th, not fluent 4 out, awkward landing 3 out, challenged next, led narrowly flat, headed close home, 2nd of 7, hd behind Many Clouds (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 1f (1) sft in Jan.
Colin's Sister 10-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway from 4 out, challenged 3 out, led before 2 out, edged left flat, stayed on, won at Wetherby 3m (1) sft in Nov beating Wholestone (11-3) by 2l, 7 ran.
