chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened quickly approaching last, eased
in touch, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten
mid-division, ridden after 6th, beaten when brought down next
always towards rear
raced wide, mid-division, hit 4th, headway after 3 out, hit next, led approaching last, ran on, ridden out
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
mid-division until 5th, soon behind
with clear leader, led briefly and hit 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
mid-division until after 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
led, not fluent 4 out, headed briefly next, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra
mid-division, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, stayed on, went 3rd flat
held up towards rear, ridden and headway after 3 out, chased leaders last, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, disputing 3rd when fell 3 out
held up towards rear, headway on outer after 3 out, soon ridden, every chance when blundered last, not recover
mid-division, headway after 5th, effort after 3 out, beaten next
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out
never better than mid-division
chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out, blundered and unseated rider next
mistake 5th, never better than mid-division
in touch, ridden to challenge approaching 2 out, every chance approaching last, kept on
held up behind, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders
An ultra competitive renewal of one of the seasons leading handicap hurdles. A number of classy sorts line up including Champion Hurdle hopeful Ashkazar and the Nicky Henderson pair Aigle D'or and Sentry Duty. Throw in Numide who re-opposes Aigle D'or after their clash in the Greatwood, the Paul Nicholls pair of Five Dream and Take The Breeze and it has the makings of an intriguing contest. SENTRY DUTY is selected on the evidence of his impressive victory over this course last time; Numide, Ashkazar and Khyber Kim are picked to follow him home. Having disposed of Celestial Halo effortlessly at Doncaster on his hurdling debut, Sentry Duty was fancied by many for Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham. His inexperience told there and the remainder of his season was disappointing but the manner of his victory on his seasonal debut was taking to say the least. He will need to improve again to defy his 10lb rise but he has the scope to bring about that necessary improvement. Numide failed to hit the heights which connections expected last season but as a result they appear to have a well-handicapped horse to send to war. He has on occasions showed a tendency to shirk a battle but that was not the case in the Greatwood. The fast pace which should materialise here is more likely to suit Aigle D'or who even so appeals as more of a 2m 4f type and may be vulnerable to horses with more pace in the closing stages. Ashkazar just failed to land the Imperial Cup - Cheltenham Festival winning bonus in the Fred Winter. Subsequent events tell us that off 143 he is potentially very well treated as his Cheltenham conqueror is now rated 158. If his Champion Hurdle aspirations are to remain intact, a big run is required here off top-weight. Khyber Kim travelled like a winner for most of the journey in the Gerry Feilden at Newbury before it appeared his tack became an issue and as a result his rider had difficulty in riding him out. It must be remembered he was Nicky Henderson's number one hope in the Supreme Novices at Cheltenham and remains a horse of some potential. The ante-post mover has been Belcantista who won impressively on his UK debut but lacks the experience of most which could count against him. Of the Paul Nicholls pair Take The Breeze has had more racing than most on the flat although is lightly raced over hurdles while Five Dream may not be as well handicapped as most owing to his good form last season over hurdles. It has the makings of a good race and Sentry Duty can follow up last seasons success by Jack The Giant and land it for the Nicky Henderson yard.
Ashkazar (FR) 15-8fav (11-12) Held up in touch, hit 2nd, led approaching 3 out, shaken up before last, ridden, headed flat, soon slightly checked, stayed on towards finish, always held, 2nd of 22, 2 1/2l behind Crack Away Jack (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m lst hcp hdl.
Aigle D'or 7-4fav (11-5) Held up in mid division, headway 5th, not fluent 3 out, led approaching last, ridden and headed flat, ran on towards finish, 2nd of 12, hd behind Numide (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Five Dream (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, good headway on inside approaching 2 out, chased leaders before last, took narrow lead flat, headed towards finish, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 12, 1/2l behind Sunnyhillboy (10-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs.
Khyber Kim 3-1fav (11-10) Mid-division, smooth headway and hit 3 out, led on bit between last 2, mkistake and headed last, hard ridden and rider lost iron flat, held near finish, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Helens Vision (10-7) at Newbury 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in No.
Sentry Duty (FR) 11-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, led approaching last, ran on well, won at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gd in Nov beating King's Revenge (10-9) by 6l, 15 ran.
Group Captain 20-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden to chase leaders approaching 2 out, soon every chance, ridden and hit last, unable to quicken flat, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Art Professor (10-10) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
Noble Alan (GER) 7-1 (11-8) Raced keenly, rear of mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, chased winner when jumped left last, stayed on, no impression, 2nd of 20, 4l behind Font (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Alsadaa (USA) 16-1 (11-5) Led, soon clear, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on same pace, 4th of 15, 10l behind Sentry Duty (11-0) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Squadron 7-2 (11-7) Mid-division, headway and hit 3 out, driven and every chance 2 out, weakened between last 2, 5th of 14, 9l behind Helens Vision (10-7) at Newbury 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Cuan Na Grai (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up, 6th 4 out, ridden and kept on one paced after 3 out, 4th of 7, 6l behind Megans Joy (11-2) at Tipperary 2m hdl Grd 2 hvy in Oct.
Songe (FR) 9-4 (10-10) Jumped right, held up in 3rd, raced keenly, reminders approaching 5th, weakened next and pulled up in race won by Araldur (11-4) at Warwick 2m 4yo nov chs (3) sft in Nov, 4 ran.
Mamlook (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, well there 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 11th of 12, 28l behind Numide (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Sky Hall (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) Mid-division, headway to 4th entering straight, led before last, kept on under pressure, headed close home, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Solwhit (10-6) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft in Nov.
Numide (FR) 5-1 (10-3) Patiently ridden in rear, not fluent 4th, headway after 3 out, went slightly right and challenged last, led flat, all out, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov beating Aigle D'or (11-5) by a hd, 12 ran.
Take The Breeze (FR) 9-2 (11-4) Mid-division, smooth headway after 3 out, challenging when mistake 2 out, soon ridden, led after last, stayed on well, won at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov beating Gringo (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Irish Legend (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) In touch, headway after 7th, challenged 3 out, led approaching last, ran on well, ridden out, won at Chepstow 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct beating King Caine (10-7) by 2l, 9 ran.
European Dream (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, short lived effort approaching 2 out, 7th of 12, 14l behind Sunnyhillboy (10-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs.
Leamington Lad (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) In touch, hit 5th, weakened 3 out, hit next, 9th of 15, 23l behind Sentry Duty (11-0) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Mourne Rambler (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Well off pace towards rear, no impression under pressure from before 2 out, 9th of 13, 46l behind Kahuna (11-3) at Galway 2m hcp hdl hvy in Oct.
Belcantista (FR) 13-8 (10-12) Took keen hold tracking leaders, went 2nd after 5th, led 2 out, clear last, stayed on strongly, won at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Fistral Beach (10-12) by 6l, 16 ran.
Prince Taime (FR) 10-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway approaching last, stayed on under pressure flat, not pace to reach front pair, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Helens Vision (10-7) at Newbury 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov.
