mid-division, chased winner approaching 3 out, one pace after
tracked leader, went upside 4th, led next, clear 2 out, mistake last, ran on
led to 5th, weakened next, tailed off
held up and behind, jumped slowly 4th, slightly hampered next, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner before 2 out until last, weakened flat
in touch, jumped slowly 4th, chased winner 6th until approaching 3 out, ridden to go 2nd last, no chance with winner
jumped right, in rear, ridden and behind from 6th, tailed off
prominent, jumped right and not fluent 1st, close 3rd when slight mistake and unseated rider 5th
held up, headway approaching 3 out, switched right between last 2, stayed on same pace
French import Sendani was highly tried on his hurdling debut in the four-year-old hurdle here at the Grand National meeting and was, not surprisingly, well beaten that day so he is hard to evaluate and a safer bet looks to be Zilcash, who is preferred to Sculastic. The last mentioned showed promise on the level for Luca Cumani and may eventually pay his way over hurdles but he has yet to show that form to warrant the vote in this company. Leo's Lucky Star lost his way on the level and has fallen in all three starts over hurdles so is hard to back with any confidence. Imlaak would need to improve significantly on all known from and it is hard to get away from Alan King's Zilcash, who has a progressive profile and he is taken to follow up his recent Towcester success.
Sculastic 5-2fav (10-8) Held up in mid-division, headway 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, stayed on strongly flat to lead towards finish, won at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Apr beating Cara Sposa (11-0) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Zilcash 1-6fav (10-9) Led, wandered on approach to 1st, headed 2nd, with leader, led 4th, clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Towcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Apr beating Allez Frank (11-0) by 13l, 7 ran.
Imlaak 100-1 (11-0) Towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Poker De Sivola (11-8) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Apr, 14 ran.
Leo's Lucky Star (USA) 25-1 (11-0) Steady rear, ridden and no impression 3 out, 7th and no chance when fell at the last in race won by Silverburn (11-0) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
Sendani (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Jumped badly, tailed off 3rd and pulled up at the 4th in race won by Katchit (11-0) at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr, 12 ran.
The Borderer 40-1 (10-12) Towards rear, struggling from 4 out, 10th of 13, 39l behind Pearson Glen (11-2) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) gf.
Lady Rocket (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Took keen hold in rear, hampered 1st, effort 3 out, not on terms, 5th of 9, 28l behind King's Revenge (11-5) at Towcester 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Ruby Valentine (FR) 66-1 (10-7) Blundered 3 out, always behind, 9th of 13, well behind Laustra Bad (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (2) gd in Apr.
