chases leaders, led 2 out, mistake and headed last, no extra run-in and lost 2nd near finish
led to after 2nd, pressed leaders, hit 4th, ridden 2 out, stayed on to lead last, driven out
always last, hit 3rd, no chance from 3 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, ridden and weakened after 2 out
led after 2nd and set steady pace, mistake and headed 2 out, weakened quickly soon after
close up, ridden to chase leaders from 2 out, stayed on under pressure run-in, took 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
Pirate Flagship can get the better of Acambo, with Welcome Stranger, and Linnet not out of it. Pirate Flagship sets the standard here, having finished fourth to stablemate Desert Quest in the County Hurdle. He failed to see out the trip last time out behind Strangely Brown at Aintree, and so with conditions much more in his favour today as regards both distance and going, the Paul Nicholls inmate gets the vote to gain another course win. Acambo looks held by the selection on Festival running, failing to act in a first-time visor, but has claims of a place at least on earlier form, while Welcome Stranger looked beaten when falling two out in a Grade 2 at Aintree last time but remains a progressive sort. The four-year-old Linnet was well behind Detroit City in the Triumph Hurdle but gets weight all round and could sneak a place, but for the winner we return to Pirate Flagship
Amour Multiple (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, led and hit 4 out, headed next, weakened 2 out, 5th of 13, 11l behind Rojabaa (10-6) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Mar.
Pirate Flagship (FR) 14-1 (10-2) Held up, ridden 4 out, weakened approaching next, 15th of 24, 20l behind Strangely Brown (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gs.
Fisby 12-1 (10-13) Held up, headway after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 17, well behind Livingonaknifedge (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (F) hvy in Dec.
John Diamond (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Mid-division, hampered 3 out, kept on flat, 5th of 14, 21l behind Idris (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Reach For The Top (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, one pace, 4th of 12, 9l behind Dusky Lord (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Linnet (GER) 66-1 (10-7) Mid-division until weakened 6th, 12th of 17, 41l behind Detroit City (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Acambo (GER) 20-1 (10-7) Mid-division, driven approaching 2 out, soon lost place, 23rd of 29, 24l behind Desert Quest (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Welcome Stranger 14-1 (11-0) Held up, blundered 4th, headway 4 out, ridden and one pace in 3rd when fell 2 out in race won by Straw Bear (11-3) at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs, 16 ran.