chased leaders, pushed along after out, stayed on same pace under pressure from next
held up in rear, headway 7th, chased winner and every chance 2 out, weakened before last
mid-division, driven after 9th, effort 3 out, weakened quickly
tracked leader, renewed effort to chase winner 3 out, weakened after next
blundered 1st, held up in mid-division, driven and no impression from 3 out
held up in mid-division, pushed along 8th, under pressure and effort 3 out, stayed on before last to take 3rd run-in
held up in rear, steady headway on wide outside 3 out, upsides winner and went left last, strong challenge run-in, just held
held up in rear, driven along and struggling 9th, soon pulled up after
held up towards rear, rapid headway to chase leaders and hit 3 out, weakened quickly
tracked leaders, led soon after 9th, driven before last, strongly pressed run-in, held on gamely, all out
Another cracking good line-up for this three-mile hurdle, with the choice being Crystal d'Ainay ahead of Westender and Royale Rosa. After two narrow defeats by Baracouda this season, last season's Stayers' Hurdle third, Crystal d'Ainay, deserves to win a race of this nature and, while you don't always get what you want or feel you deserve in this life, the Alan King-trained six-year-old looks to hold solid claims in this contest. Turning to the others and Patriarch Express has proven progressive this season and is very likeable, although this represents a step up in class for him, while Marble Arch reverts to hurdling following a spell over fences but it is hard to see Hughie Morrison's charge getting back to the level of form that saw him finish second in the 2002 Champion Hurdle. It is interesting that Timmy Murphy is on board the totesport Hurdle winner, Korelo, ahead of Westender, although Tony McCoy is a very able deputy! The latter, who was fourth in a very good Bula Hurdle earlier in the season, looks ready for a further step up in trip following his win here on January 1. Royale Rosa comes here with a big reputation and found all bar Iris's Gift too good for her in the Grade 2 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree last April. She is afforded all due respect, even though this is her seasonal return. If he is at his best, Telemoss, who won Wetherby's John Smith's Hurdle in November and who was an 11-length fourth behind Baracouda at Newbury last time, could go well, while his stablemate Monet's Garden is highly regarded, although he disappointed here last time after winning at Grade 2 level. For us, though, the one to beat is Crystal d'Ainay.
