chased leader, led 4th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened soon after, tailed off
held up in 6th, steady headway approaching 3 out, went close 4th when switched right then left before 2 out, went 2nd after 2 out, soon driven, no impression before last
led at steady pace, narrowly headed 4th, pressed leader, chased new leader fom 3 out, every chance 2 out, chased winner briefly, stayed on same pace in 3rd
chased leaders, challenged 4 out, led approaching next, headed 2 out, weakened to 4th when mistake last
last pair, reminders and struggling after 6th, lost touch next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
took keen hold in touch in 5th, effort and hit 4 out, chased leaders before led 2 out, came clear before last, stayed on well, driven out
chased leaders in 4th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
always towards rear, strugging soon after 4 out, tailed off when went left final 2
It took SHERNANDO five attempts to get off the mark over timber but he was clearly suited by the better ground at Huntingdon and should face similar conditions here. He can complete a quick double for Nicky Henderson as November's course and distance winner Kaysersberg has been tackling longer trips of late. Ballylifen finished ahead of Salmanazar at Warwick last month but then fell in a novices' handicap at Ludlow and, like the nine-year-old Neltara is starting to run out of chances. Deep Trouble makes his UK and hurdling debut after a lengthy absence while Thimaar has been a big disappointment so far over hurdles and likely to find a few of these too good.
Kaysersberg (FR) 4-1 (11-8) Chased leaders until lost place 7th, ridden next, rallied to modest 4th and hit 2 out, kept on flat, 4th of 8, 25l behind Cloudy Copper (11-8) at Kempton 3m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Shernando 15-8 (11-2) Tracked leaders, challenged 4th, blundered last, shaken up flat, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd beating Darley Sun (11-2) by 10l, 14 ran.
Ballylifen (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) In touch in mid-division, closed from 7th, went 2nd 3 out, 2 1/2 lengths down when fell 2 out, in a race won by Kellys Brow (11-11) at Ludlow 2m 5f NH Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-130) (4yo+) (3) gs in Feb, 8 ran.
My Lord 50-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, held up in rear, headway on outside 5th, pushed along and stayed on from 2 out, went 4th before last, no chance with leading duo, 4th of 7, 31l behind Irish Buccaneer (11-2) at Lingfield 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
Neltara 7-1 (10-12) Raced wide on back straight on both circuits, pressed leader, every chance 3 out, no impression next, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Highland Retreat (10-11) at Taunton 3m nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
Present Accepted 200-1 (10-7) In rear, tailed off 9th, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Buck's Bond (10-9) at Taunton 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Salmanazar 3-1 (11-4) Mid-division, went 3rd from 5th, chased winner from 5 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace, 4th of 8, 11l behind Westward Point (11-4) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
Thimaar (USA) 16-1 (11-2) Led until headed before 3 out, mistake and weakened 3 out, tailed 4off, 4th of 5, 29l behind Massini Lotto (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Yazdi (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Held up until blundered and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Lienosus (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (5) gd, 12 ran.
Deep Trouble (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Led, ridden over 2f out, soon strongly pressed, headed over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Tasitiocht (11-7) at Cork 2m 3f N H flat in Jul.
