held up in touch, went 2nd approaching 2 out, ridden and challenged on inside approaching last, hard ridden switched left and ran on well flat, just failed
held up last, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, ridden and effort 2 out, not quicken
chased leader, ridden approaching 2 out kept on same pace
prominent, 2nd when pecked badly and unseated rider 3rd
made all, ridden and quickened after 2 out, ran on well from last, all out
In a very good renewal of the Elite Hurdle, Desert Quest gets the vote over Noble Request and Noland. Desert Quest absolutely bolted up on his return to action for the season last week and, if the same sort of mood, is likely to prove hard to beat. Trainer Philip Hobbs things that Noble Request could make up into a Champion Hurdle contender, in which case he has to be very much respected. Royal Shakespeare won this race last season and, a 149-rated hurdler, he is respected too, as is last year's Fighting Fifth winner Arcalis, the Betfred Million runner-up, Faasel, and last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner. Noland. The vote, though, goes to Desert Quest.
Desert Quest (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Held up, smooth progress from 6th, tracked leader on bit throughout, led approaching last, very easily, won at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gf in Oct beating Caracciola (11-2) by 3l, 15 ran.
Noble Request (FR) 2-1fav (11-8) Held up in rear, good headway on inside approaching 2 out, led before last, in command final 100 yards, won at Sandown 2m hdl (2) gd in Apr beating Faasel (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Faasel (IRE) 9-4 (11-4) Held up, smooth headway well before 2 out, upsides and every chance last, no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Noble Request (11-8) at Sandown 2m hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Royal Shakespeare (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 2 lengths down in 2nd, one pace when blundered last, not recover, 6th of 9, 14l behind Noble Request (10-9) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Flame Creek (IRE) 9-2fav (10-13) Towards rear, mistake 1st, behind when fell at the 3rd in race won by Provocative (11-9) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-135 (C) sft in Oct '05, 10 ran.
Crow Wood 13-2 (11-12) Led, driven along when blundered 2 out, headed last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Estate (10-1) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Aug.
Perouse 15-8 (11-9) Tracked leaders, chased winner approaching 3 out, ridden after next, switched right approaching last, close up when fell at the last in race won by Nyrche (11-9) at Wincanton 2m nov chs (C) gd, 5 ran.
