held up, headway after 8th, ridden to chase leaders soon after, weakened 3 out,
tracked leaders, weakened 7th, pulled up before 4 out,
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, one pace from 2 out
always in rear, tailed off 4 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 4 out,
led, headed 6th, weakened after 8th, tailed off 3 out
tracked leaders and keen, led 6th, headed briefly 8th, ridden approaching last, ridden out
in touch, closer order 7th, ridden 4 out to chase leaders, held when mistake last
alway in rear
Paul Nicholls saddles two runners here and with Natal having looked well held before unseating his rider on his reappearance here earlier this month preference and the vote is for stablemate Gungadu, with Garde Champetre rated the pick of the remainder. Lack of a recent run for the selection has to be of some concern as most runners from the Paul Nicholls stable have looked just in need of the run first time out but this should not take a great deal of winning and Gungadu looks worth a bet on his return to hurdling following some decent efforts over fences last term. Oliver Sherwood's Lyes Green showed a consistent level of form last term but may just be a shade high in the weights at present, while Irish raider Sonnyanjoe is another that could do with some help from the handicapper. Gold Gun is race fit but looks highly tried in this company and of more interest may be Jonjo O'Neill's Garde Champetre who is another that reverts to hurdling off what seems a fair mark. Preference though is for a similar type in Gungadu, who may just be too classy for his rivals.
Natal (FR) 10-3fav (11-12) Held up when unseated rider at the 9th in race won by Bowleaze (10-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd, 13 ran.
Kadoun (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Towards rear, stayed on from 2 out, 10th of 27, 17l behind Adamant Approach (11-1) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl hvy in Jan.
Gungadu 2-1fav (12-0) With leader, definite advantage 15th, ridden and holding slight lead when fell 2 out in race won by Butler's Cabin (12-0) at Cheltenham 4m 1f nov amt chs (2) gs in Mar, 19 ran.
Garde Champetre (FR) 12-1 (11-11) In touch, hampered 15th, hit 20th and soon behind, 9th of 19, well behind Butler's Cabin (12-0) at Cheltenham 4m 1f nov amt chs (2) gs in Mar.
Lyes Green 10-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway on outside approaching 8th, led before 3 out, headed between last 2, switched right after last, kept on, 2nd of 21, 1/2l behind Albertas Run (10-4) at Aintree 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Glacial Sunset (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Led, headed 4 out, weakened 3 out, 9th of 18, 44l behind Sonnyanjoe (10-10) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Sept.
Sonnyanjoe (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Settled 2nd, ridden to challenge after 4 out, dropped to 4th after 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 16, 5l behind Square Ball (9-4) at Gowran Park 3m hcp hdl gf.
Gold Gun (USA) 12-1 (11-3) Always in the rear, 8th of 17, 23l behind Eden Linty (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Irish Legend (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Held up, left 4th 2nd, held from 8th, 3rd of 5, 26l behind Officier De Reserve (10-8) at Hereford 2m 3f nov chs (3) sft in Feb.
