held up last, good headway on inside approaching 3 out, every chance 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept from last but no chance of winner
prominent, led 9th, jumped right 2 out, pushed out and quickened clear from last, readily
held up in mid-division, not fluent 2nd, effort approaching 3 out, weakening when hit 2 out and last
chased leader until fell 2nd
prominent, disputing 3rd when fell 3 out
led to 9th, chased leader and ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
Corrib Drift has not progressed as much as may have been expected over hurdles and it remains to be seen whether chasing will prove to be his game so he is probably best watched and preference is for Howle Hill, who gets the vote ahead of Guru. The last mentioned showed promise on his chasing debut over course and distance in January and Gary Moore's gelding has to be respected on that evidence but Howle Hill was different class to these over hurdles and, if taking to fences, should be too strong for his rivals. The Evan Williams-trained Serbelloni could be of interest switched to the larger obstacles and makes more appeal than Mariday, who would need to step up considerably on hurdles form to take a hand. Howle Hill has yet to jump a fence in public that has to be of concern but he is undoubtedly the class act of the line up and gets the vote to make a winning chase debut.
Corrib Drift (USA) 50-1 (10-13) Held up, hit 5th, ridden before 7th, no chance from next, 4th of 8, 46l behind Idole First (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 1f beg chs (3) gs in Feb.
Howle Hill (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) In touch, ridden after 4 out, to chase leaders, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 9l behind Darrias (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Lutin Collonges (FR) 100-1 (11-2) Keen, chased leader to after 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Jonny's Kick (11-2) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (4) gd in Apr, 16 ran.
Serbelloni 8-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, headway 7th, ridden next, no impression approaching 2 out, 5th of 13, 37l behind Money Trix (12-2) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Mariday 13-2 (10-9) In touch until weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 9, 46l behind Brave Spirit (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f hdl 0-90 (F) sft in Nov.
Narval D'avelot (FR) 16-1 (10-7) Soon tracking leaders, hampered on bend after 14th, weakened next and pulled up 2 out in race won by Ryders Storm (11-2) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Guru 25-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 6th of 13, 20l behind Herakles (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Apr.
