led until 1st, led 4th, not fluent and headed 6th, lost place before 2 out, 5th and well beaten when mistake last
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, ridden after 10th, stayed on same pace before 3 out
held up in 5th, not fluent 1st, headway before 3 out, challenging when left in clear lead 2 out, stayed on well
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway after 10th, led 3 out, pressed when mistake 2 out, soon unseated rider
chased leaders, mistake 4th and rider lost iron briefly, one pace when mistake 2 out, kept on flat
led 1st until 4th, jumped right 5th, led next, jumped right 9th, ridden and headed 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner, not fluent last
Qualando has been placed in two of his five chase starts but doesn’t really have the build of a chaser. Though he finished ahead of KK LEXION and Mister Miyagi at Cheltenham last time, it would be no surprise if Tom George’s chasing newcomer reversed the form and made a winning start over the larger obstacles though Dashing Oscar, a winner four times over hurdles, looks a big danger. Waterloo Warrior would need to improve markedly on his hurdles form to challenge these and Okotoks is still out of sorts.
Dashing Oscar (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Made most until hit 4th and headed chased leader until 3 out, chased leaders, led again briefly approaching 2 out, chased winner until before the last, kept on same pace run-in, 4th of 19, 15 1/4l behind Soul Emotion (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Kk Lexion (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway on inside after last bend, soon hung left and no impression, 11th of 22, 11 1/2l behind Champagne Express (10-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Mister Miyagi (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway after 2 out, lost place on stands side before last, weakened, 17th of 22, 17 3/4l behind Champagne Express (10-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Okotoks (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Held up in last pair, closer in mid-division 7th, kept on in 4th from 3 out, weakened into 5th run-in, 5th of 8, 17 1/2l behind Dicosimo (12-0) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Qualando (FR) 22-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway after 2 out, kept on under pressure final 150 yards, went 4th post, 4th of 22, 1 1/2l behind Champagne Express (10-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Waterloo Warrior (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) In touch, pushed along before 3 out, led 3 out, headed run-in, no extra, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Max Forte (11-0) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in May.
