held up towards rear, some headway after 7th, came wide and ridden approaching 2 out, soon hung left, no further impression
held up towards rear, ridden soon after 2 out, stayed on, never threatened leaders
in touch, hit 3rd and 6th, led after 7th, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace
mid-division, headway when hit 5th, led on bit 2 out, stayed on strongly, ridden out
mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened before last
led after 2nd, clear until 6th, headed after 7th, soon beaten
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, weakened before last
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace
held up towards rear, came wide for a short lived effort approaching 2 out
struggling 5th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 2 out
led until after 2nd, chased clear leader, ridden and every chance after 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, ridden to chase winner after 2 out, stayed on, always held
Dave's Dream is rated better than his finishing position in the County Hurdle but we will side with a former Cheltenham festival winner in the form of NAIAD DU MISSELOT. The selection returns to hurdles today after a terrible round of jumping in the Jewson's Novices' handicap in March. He hardly cleared a twig and it is hoped that the return to timber will spark him back to life. If it is apparent that a mark of 136 is beyond him then it may pay to side with Amore Mio. Emma Lavelle's unexposed gelding looks nicely weighted here and looks sure to be suited by the step up in trip having never featured in the Fred Winter. Dastardly Dick has a new mark of 127 to race off today after a facile Novice win last time, Seven Is My Number never looked like featuring at Aintree and he may still find it hard to beat Dave's Dream who crushed him at Sandown and could do so again given a cleaner passage during the race. Hernando Royal is rated better than his finishing position last time as half of his tack almost exited following a blunder at Aintree and he goes onto the shortlist along with the decent chaser Pur De Sivola. The Polomoche is yet to reproduce any dazzling gallops displays on the racecourse proper, From Dawn To Dusk has a career-high mark to race off today, whereas Sendani looks no stable star and is hard to fancy in this competitive heat. Naiad Du Misselot is taken to bounce back to form and is preferred.
Dave's Dream (IRE) 7-2fav (11-0) In touch, hit 3rd, mistake 2 out, hampered on bend soon after, ridden and stayed on same pace, 6th of 27, 16l behind American Trilogy (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Naiad du Misselot (FR) 8-1 (11-1) Held up behind, mistake 3rd, blundered 8th and 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Chapoturgeon (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar, 20 ran.
Eleazar (GER) 12-1 (10-13) Prominent, ridden 8th, weakened 2 out, 10th of 22, 27l behind Sunnyhillboy (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd.
From Dawn To Dusk 12-1 (11-11) In touch, headway after 4 out, chased leader 3 out, led 2 out, hard driven and headed final 100 yards, kept on, 2nd of 20, 3/4l behind Gala Evening (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
Hernando Royal 7-1fav (10-3) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, blundered badly 6th, rider lost irons and bridle became lose and dropped rear, progress after 3 out, no impression approaching last, 7th of 22, 18l behind Sunnyhillboy (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd.
Khachaturian (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Prominent, led after 3rd until 6th, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 9th of 23, 34l behind Andytown (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Seven Is My Number (IRE) 3-1fav (11-4) Mid-division, ridden after 6th, soon lost place, tailed off, 18th of 21, well behind Culcabock (11-0) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl 4yo+ (2) gs.
Darstardly Dick (IRE) 4-1fav (11-9) Chased leaders, challenged from 4 out, narrow lead when stumbled and rider lost iron 2 out, regained lead before last, drew clear flat, won at Newbury 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (0-120) (3) gd in Mar beating Tenor De Balme (10-10) by 14l, 11 ran.
Sendani (FR) Evensfav (11-0) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Zed Candy (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Oct.
Pur De Sivola (FR) 12-1 (11-7) In touch, reminds after 9th, weakened 13th, 5th of 7, well behind Gwanako (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f chs (2) gs in Dec.
Amore Mio (GER) 10-1 (10-8) Prominent, losing place when hit 4th, soon behind, 17th of 22, 46l behind Silk Affair (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m Grade 3 nov hcp hdl (4yo) (1) gs in Mar.
South O'The Border 7-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden 2 out, soon beaten, weakened last, 5th of 15, 10l behind Snake Charmer (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gs in Mar.
The Polomoche (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, lost place 6th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Sunnyhillboy (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd, 22 ran.
Callisto Moon 13-2 (9-11) Chased leader until after 5th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, last of 6, 38l behind Hernando Royal (9-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gd in Mar.
