held up, pushed along and lost place from 7th
in touch, tracked leaders 7th, led 2 out, readily
held up, headway approaching 3 out, weakened from 2 out
chased leader, weakened from 4 out
tracked leaders, driven and weakened from 7th, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, tracked leaders 6th, ridden and weakened when not fluent 3 out
led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, stayed on to regain 2nd flat
held up, headway 7th, chased winner after 2 out until no extra flat
towards rear, ridden and headway 3 out, weakened last
Al Eile is the pick ahead of Afsoun and Osana. Al Eile seems to know exactly where the winning post is at Aintree and won this race in some style last year for the second time. Connections wisely avoided Cheltenham and having campaigned with this race apparently in mind, we will side with their judgement here. Afsoun has first time blinkers on. A temperamental individual at the best of times, he did not give anything like his true running at Cheltenham and remains something of an enigma. Osana has to be respected given the form of David Pipe's stable at the moment. He should stay the trip and does bring into play the Champion Hurdle form. Straw Bear is interesting if getting the trip but looks a little below top class. My Way De Solzen has had a wretched season. Lough Derg needs points for the Order of merit and is likely to front run. Chomba Womba should like trip and ground and while progressive, she has to realise plenty of improvement to win this. Elusive Dream won on Thursday but is a doubtful runner. Al Eile has plenty in his favour and can maintain his good record at the track here.
Afsoun (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Chased leaders until 5th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on again approaching last, 7th of 15, 18l behind Katchit (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Al Eile (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (11-10) Prominent, 2nd 2 out, ridden and no extra in 3rd before straight, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Sizing Europe (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Jan.
Kalderon (GER) 11-10 (11-6) Tracked leader in 2nd, close up travelling best from 4 out, slight mistake 2 out, ridden to lead last, soon clear, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar beating Earth Magic (11-6) by 2 1/2l, 2 ran.
Lough Derg (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Prominent, lost place after 6th, rallied and brought wide approaching 3 out, edged left approaching last, stayed on same pace, 4th of 11, 10l behind Blazing Bailey (11-10) at Aintree 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs.
Mephisto (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, blundered 4th, weakened after next and pulled up 3 out in race won by Wingman (10-0) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Feb, 24 ran.
My Way de Solzen (FR) 15-2 (11-10) Mid-division, headway approaching 8th, not fluent 9th, soon pushed along, every chance 2 out, hung left approaching last, soon beaten, 5th of 17, 13l behind Inglis Drever (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Osana (FR) 9-2 (11-10) Led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, rallied and every chance last, kept on, 2nd of 15, 1l behind Katchit (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Straw Bear (USA) 20-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, soon ridden, no further impression, 5th of 15, 15l behind Katchit (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Lounaos (FR) 11-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and weakened before 3 out, eased close home, 6th of 10, 31l behind Catch Me (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Elusive Dream 7-2 (11-8) Prominent, led 3 out, soon ridden, kept on well, driven out, won at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs beating Whiteoak (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Chomba Womba (IRE) 10-3fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway after 4th, quickened to lead approaching last, soon headed, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Whiteoak (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Mar.
