tracked leaders, chased winner approaching last, kept on well under pressure
held up, headway 5th, ridden to challenge 2 out, faded flat
always towards rear
chased leaders, effort 2 out, weakened last
prominent, led 4th, headed 2 out, soon weakened
led until 4th, rallied to lead again 2 out, headed before last, soon weakened
midfield, hit 3rd, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, chased leaders next, led approaching last, ran on well
chased leaders, effort 2 out, soon lost place
never jumped well, close up, weakened halfway
held up, headway 5th, hit next, weakened
EL BEAU has been competing against older hurdlers and making a decent fist of it too. He beat a couple of subsequent winners when runner-up at Musselburgh last time so the form looks rock-solid. Mighty Missile went close in a maiden hurdle at Ludlow only to disappoint when favourite in a similar contest at the same track and Space Walker is preferred after a promising introduction to hurdling at Newbury last month. Albahar was never in contention despite finishing third on his hurdling bow at Sandown in November while jumps newcomer New Street was sold for 180,000gns after winning on the Flat at Haydock in June.
El Beau (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Streets Of Newyork (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
Albahar (FR) 9-4fav (10-12) In touch, mistake 1st, chased leaders 3 out, weakened before next, moderate 3rd, 3rd of 6, well behind Baron Alco (10-12) at Sandown 2m 3yo hdl (3) sft in Nov.
David John 66-1 (11-0) Last pair, never on terms, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Sebastian Beach (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Dire Straits (IRE) 5-2fav (9-6) Led 1f, tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, hd behind Topaling (8-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) in Dec (flat).
Hoist The Colours (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Dwelt always in rear, ridden 3f out, last of 8, 13l behind Serena Grae (9-3) at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct (flat).
Master Dan 9-1 (9-6) Tracked winner, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 5, 10l behind Hussar Ballad (8-11) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec (flat).
Mighty Missile (IRE) 7-4fav (10-7) Led until 2nd, stayed prominent, every chance before 3 out, 4th and one pace last, no extra final 100 yards, 4th of 16, 9l behind King Alfonso (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Mon Petit Ange (FR) 66-1 (10-3) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, ridden 6th, behind next, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Mister Grez (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
New Street (IRE) 11-4fav (9-1) Tracked leaders, headway over 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Haydock 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun beating Emaad (8-4) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran (flat).
Space Walker (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, strongly pressed when mistake and went right last, narrowly headed run-in, no extra in 3rd last 110 yards, 3rd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Bishop Wulstan (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo hdl (4) sft in Feb.
The Alamo (IRE) 11-4 (10-7) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, soon outpaced, 4th of 9, 22l behind Aristo Du Plessis (10-9) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb.
Lady Knight (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, well behind 4th, 9th of 12, well behind Karezak (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 3yo hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Last Echo (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Last trio, never on terms, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Sebastian Beach (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
