raced keenly, led until 2nd, chased leader until next, chased leading pair, 2nd again 3 out until pushed along 2 out, weakened soon after
took keen hold, waited with in touch, smooth headway on outside into 2nd 2 out, led on bit approaching last, clear when idled in front, always just doing enough
raced keenly, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 3rd until hit 3 out, chased leaders, pushed along and weakened on long run before next, soon behind and eased, tailed off
raced keenly, tracked leaders, pushed along and weakened after 3 out, soon behind, fell heavily 2 out
held up in touch, headway on inside tracking leaders before 2 out, soon pushed along, disputing 4th between last 2 until approaching last, kept on run-in, went never dangerous 3rd last 100 yards
blundered 1st, held up towards rear, headway on outside approaching 2 out, driven disputing 4th between last 2, 2nd soon after last, stayed on under pressure run-in, not reach winner
tracked leaders on inside, 3rd 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace run-in, no extra and lost 3rd final 100 yards
tracked leader, led 2nd, clear after next until before 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, blundered and almost unseated rider last, no chance after, weakened run-in
tracked leaders, weakened quickly on long run before 2 out, tailed off
always in rear, pushed along and lost touch 3 out, no chance when went left 2 out and last, tailed off
ZUBAYR looked set for the runners-up spot when falling at the last in the Grade 2 Elite Hurdle at Wincanton last month. Better is expected from Paul Nicholls’ charge today and he’s one of several to consider in an open-looking contest. The consistent Indietir won three of his five starts over hurdles in France and debuts for Dan Skelton here but Wishfull Dreaming failed to cope with a 7lb rise last time having won at Chepstow earlier. Graasten only won a maiden hurdle at Plumpton while Brain Power has something to prove raised 12lb for an earlier third in a Grade 1 at Punchestown and stablemate Consul De Thaix was well beaten in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham when last in action.
Zubayr (IRE) 2-1 (11-4) Tracked leading pair, closed into 2nd well before 2 out, led approaching 2 out, headed between last two, over 1 length down and ridden when fell last, at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Brain Power (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) In touch in mid-division, headway 4 out, outpaced after 2 out, well held last, 8th of 16, 20l behind North Hill Harvey (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Indietir (FR) 14-1 (10-7) 2nd of 9, 5l behind Chimere Du Berlais (10-3) at Auteuil 2m 2f (1) sft in Nov.
Bertimont (FR) 9-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, held up, headway tracking leaders 4th, weakened quickly after 3 out, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Eddiemaurice (10-3) at Ascot 2m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Kayf Blanco 25-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, lost place from 5 out, soon outpaced, 4th of 6, 13 3/4l behind Charbel (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m (3) gd in Oct.
Consul De Thaix (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Towards rear of mid-division, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, never reached leaders, 10th of 15, 23 1/2l behind Ivanovich Gorbatov (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gd in Mar.
Wishfull Dreaming 5-2fav (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden after 2 out, edged right flat, stayed on same pace, 5th of 12, 9 1/4l behind Cliffs Of Dover (10-2) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Faithful Mount 4-1 (11-8) Held up, in 5th, closed 8th, challenged before 2 out, every chance and hung right before last, no impression on winner inside final 100 yards, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Clonalig House (10-11) at Musselburgh 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Graasten (GER) 8-11fav (11-0) Led from 1st, made rest, ridden and pressed before last, hung right under pressure run-in, held on well towards finish, won at Plumpton 2m mdn (5) gd in Oct beating Alberta (11-0) by 3l, 7 ran.
Kingston (GER) (9-2) 9th of 11, shd behind at Nimes 1m 1f hvy in Feb.
