pressed leader, lost place 5th, dropped rear and ridden after 4 out, edged left and rallied flat, ran on to go 3rd near finish, not reached leaders
tracked leading pair, went 2nd 5th, challenged 2 out, led last, ridden out flat
held up in rear, headway on outside after 4 out, effort 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, kept on flat, no impression
held up in 4th, headway to track leading pair 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on under pressure to chase winner flat, always held
led, raced wide bend after 3rd, joined 2 out, headed when mistake last, ridden and lost 2nd flat, no extra, lost 2 places near finish
Barizan is likely to leave his Wetherby run behind in this smaller field as he should be able to dominate, tactics which saw him take a brave second in last season's Triumph Hurdle before beating Carlito Brigante 12-lengths at Punchestown. The latter hasn't been seen over timber since but has had a pipe-opener on the level and should be considered. He was comfortably too good for Ultimate last season and is taken to confirm that form despite being 6lbs worse-off, but coping with CLERK'S CHOICE is another matter altogether. Michael Blake's horse impressed all with an imperious victory at Cheltenham, one which has seen the handicapper rate him 162. That figure not only makes him hard to beat here but also puts him in the Champion Hurdle picture at this early stage and, with the strong pace he needs very likely, he can further enhance those credentials.
Barizan (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Behind and well off the strong pace, mistake 5th, ridden and no response soon after, behind and no chance when hampered 2 out, 7th of 10, 32l behind Nearby (10-5) at Wincanton 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gd.
Carlito Brigante (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Chased clear leader in 2nd, clear of remainder, closer approaching 2 out, driven along and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace from before last but no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 12l behind Barizan (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Clerk's Choice (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear and well off the pace, steady headway approaching 4 out, tracked going well after 3 out, led between last 2, soon clear and stayed on strongly, won at Cheltenham 2m 4yo hdl (2) gd in Oct beating Royal Mix (10-12) by 21l, 8 ran.
Bocamix (FR) 9-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, chased leaders in 3rd and pushed along after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 11, 38l behind Amir Pasha (9-10) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Ultimate 20-1 (10-1) Led until 2nd, chased leader at strong pace, led before 2 out, headed 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 10, 12l behind Nearby (10-5) at Wincanton 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gd.
Andhaar 10-11fav (11-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd after 3rd, hit 2 out, soon led, hit last, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Taketimeout (10-12) by 5l, 6 ran.
