held up, hit 4th, pushed along after 5th, soon weakened
chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd, ridden 3 out, weakened flat
in touch to 8th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, outpaced 8th, kept on approaching last, never dangerous
prominent, ridden 7th, weakened next
in touch to 7th, soon behind
held up, headway 4th, ridden after 3 out, blundered 2 out, soon weakened
behind from 3rd, not fluent 4th, tailed off when hit 7th, soon pulled up
made all, ridden approaching 2 out, clear last, stayed on well
Nonrunner
If none the worse for his exertions in Thursday's Liverpool Hurdle, the World Hurdle winner My Way de Solzen would have an obvious chance but this shorter trip and flatter track than at Cheltenham would not be in his favour and he looks worth taking on with a chance taken on Asian Maze, who is preferred to Hardy Eustace. The last mentioned lost his Champion Hurdle crown last month and having not been at his best this term looks one to remain weary of from a punting perspective despite finishing a fair third behind Brave Inca at Cheltenham. Al Eile was just behind in fourth in the Champion but there is no real reason why he should reverse the form over today's longer trip, while Sky's The Limit has more to do than when winning the Coral Cup. Royal Shakespeare and Self Defense are probably the pick of the home talent but this looks likely to go to one of the Irish raiders with the vote going to Asian Maze. The Thomas Mullins-trained mare got no further than the fourth flight at Cheltenham but, as a result, comes here fresher than most and this trip should suit her ideally.
Al Eile (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) In touch, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, no extra when hit last 2, 4th of 18, 11l behind Brave Inca (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Hardy Eustace (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Chased leaders, led 4th, ridden and narrowly headed 2 out, stayed challenging under pressure, driven last, no extra flat, 3rd of 18, 4 1/2l behind Brave Inca (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Intersky Falcon 66-1 (11-10) Held up in mid-division, hampered 4th, weakened next, 11th of 18, 35l behind Brave Inca (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Kawagino (IRE) 500-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway from 5th, one pace and no chance when hampered last, 7th of 18, 20l behind Brave Inca (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Patriarch Express 12-1 (11-10) In touch, ridden to lead after 3 out, headed and weakened quickly next, 8th of 20, 23l behind My Way de Solzen (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Royal Shakespeare (FR) 100-1 (11-10) Always behind, hampered 4th, 10th of 18, 29l behind Brave Inca (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Sky's The Limit (FR) 11-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway after 7th, went 2nd after 3 out, took narrow lead going well approaching last, easily, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar beating Strangely Brown (11-3) by 4l, 30 ran.
Timolino (GER) 33-1 (10-6) 3rd of 9, 6l behind Ange De Beaumont (10-8) at Capannelle 2m 4f hdl Grd 1 (A) sft in Feb.
Asian Maze (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Close up when fell 5 out in race won by Brave Inca (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar, 18 ran.
Mister McGoldrick 50-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, headway 7th, hard ridden approaching last, no extra flat, 3rd of 12, 11l behind Newmill (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
My Way de Solzen (FR) 6-4fav (11-10) Always prominent, mistake 4 out, led approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace but no impression on winner after last, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Mighty Man (11-6) at Aintree 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd.
Self Defense 5-2 (11-8) Held up, ridden and outpaced 5th, no danger after, 6th of 8, 8l behind Royal Shakespeare (11-4) at Sandown 2m lst hdl (1) gd in Feb.
