tracked leader before 2nd, challenged 2 out, led before last, edged slightly left and driven flat, held on
led, ridden and joined 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra towards finish
held up, left 4th 6th, close enough before 3 out, soon outpaced by leaders and no impression
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, ridden and switched right after 2 out, went 2nd flat, stayed on well towards finish, gaining on winner close home
tracked leaders until approaching 2nd, raced in handy 4th until fell 6th
OSCAR WHISKY emptied quickly on the run for home over 3m in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle having looked a real threat to record-breaker Big Bucks turning for home. He clearly didn't get home but is a very smart performer at this distance, beating Thousand Stars in this 12 months ago, and can reverse Cheltenham running with Willie Mullins' consistent grey here. Champion Hurdler Rock On Ruby is an obvious danger as he also has solid form over this longer trip, though was well beaten over C&D in the big novice race on this card 12 months ago after running at Cheltenham. Zarkandar was fifth in the Champion Hurdle but wasn't far behind his stablemate and there is plenty in his pedigree to suggest he'll stay the extra half-mile, but Third Intention is likely to struggle at this level and Saphir River looks well out of his depth.
Oscar Whisky (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Held up mid-division in touch, tracked leaders 3 out, effort to chase winner between last 2, soon no extra, well beaten last, 5th of 11, 13l behind Big Buck's (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Rock On Ruby (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 5th, challenged 2 out, soon led and ridden, kept on well flat, pulling away towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar beating Overturn (11-10) by 4l, 10 ran.
Third Intention (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Mid-division in touch, headway on outside 4 out, chased leaders next, ridden and effort between last 2, no impression flat, 8th of 28, 17l behind Son Of Flicka (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Thousand Stars (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Took keen hold, held up mid-division in touch on inside, tracked leaders 3 out, chased winner next, outpaced between last 2, no extra approaching last, 4th of 11, 12l behind Big Buck's (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Zarkandar (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Held up in mid-division, pushed along after 5th, outpaced 3 out, 7th last, ran on well flat, going on close home, 5th of 10, 7l behind Rock On Ruby (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Saphir River (FR) 50-1 (10-10) Held up behind when mistake and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Son Of Flicka (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Mar, 28 ran.
