jumped well, made all, hung right and reluctant on bend after 9th, pecked 2 out, joined last, strongly pressed when edged left run-in, held on
tracked leading pair, chased winner 6th, driven to challenge last, upsides when bumped run-in, just held
chased winner until 6th, stayed in 3rd until 9th, soon behind, tailed off
in touch until ridden and struggling 9th, soon tailed off
behind, went left 7th, driven in rear & struggling 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
chased leading trio, bumped 9th, driven after 4 out, soon no chance
slowly away and reluctant to jump off, jumped poorly well in rear, tailed off when pulled up after 9th
held up in touch, headway to 3rd at 9th, went 2nd briefly 4 out, stayed on same pace after next
Alan King's BALZACCIO sets the standard on hurdles form and should be a nice recruit to this sphere for the yard. A win over timber at Huntingdon and a solid effort in the conditionals race at the Cheltenham Festival helped the gelding reach a rating of 129 when last seen over the smaller obstacles and he won't have to be that good to win this. Bai Zhu was a bumper winner before wining once in four starts over hurdles. He has a bit to do on that form but it is interesting this top yard have turned to chasing so quickly. Psi has claims on his debut behind the classy Zaynar and his yard should always be respected but he'll have to improve to beat Balzaccio.
Bai Zhu (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 9th, weakened 3 out, well behind when blundered 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Munlochy Bay (9-11) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr, 20 ran.
Balzaccio (FR) 14-1 (11-6) In touch, lost place after 2 out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 36l behind Ashkazar (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
Daring Approach (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Held up, pushed along after 5th, soon struggling, tailed off, pulled up before, in a race won by Sun Quest (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar, 10 ran.
Kitley Hassle 14-1 (10-12) Led, soon clear, ridden approaching 10th, headed before 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Darstardly Dick (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov chs (3) hvy.
Notmorebrandy (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Close up when fell 1st, in a race won by Fidelis (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd, 9 ran.
Not So Sure Dick (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, went 3rd at 10th, no impression, 3rd of 8, 36l behind Golan Way (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd.
Open Range (IRE) 33-1 (10-1) Held up towards rear, hit 2nd, pushed along after 7th, soon weakened, 4th of 8, well behind King Raven (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.
Psi (USA) 14-1 (11-6) Behind, headway from 2 out, never in contention, 6th of 14, 23l behind Zarrafakt (11-8) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Nov.
