led, went left 2nd, soon headed, chased leader, went left next, led on long run before 2 out, joined 2 out, headed between last 2, lost 2nd before the last, plugged on in 3rd
held up and always towards rear, weakened and behind 3 out, never involved, soon pulled up
held up in last pair, pushed along in modest 5th before 2 out, mistake 2 out, never on terms
chased leader, led after 2nd, headed on long run before 2 out, lost 2nd and weakened before 2 out
raced keenly, chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, behind and pulled up before 2 out
held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 4th, weakened after 3 out, behind and pulled up before 2 out
raced keenly, chased leaders on inside, weakened on long run before 2 out
held up in mid-division on inside, headway chasing leaders when hit 3 out, went 2nd before next where dropped to 3rd, 2nd again before the last, no chance with winner
held up in mid-division, smooth headway tracking leaders approaching 3 out, challenged on bit 2 out, led between last 2, quickened clear from last, impressive
held up in last pair, headway on outside tracking leaders before 2 out, 4th and one pace from 2 out
A bigger field than usual for this Grade 1 hurdle and Nicky Henderson is mob-handed as he bids to win in it for the third year running. The four-year-old Fusil Raffles will likely start favourite having been unbeaten since joining the yard but he made hard work of bettering Grand Sancy in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton and is among the lowest rated. Epatante won a Listed handicap at Newbury on her reappearance but she will also need to improve again while an absence since May has to be a concern for last year’s winner Verdana Blue. GETAWAY TRUMP hasn’t been disgraced over fences this term but may appreciate a switch back to hurdles. He was finishing second in the Challow Hurdle around this time last year and could be a bit of value, though Elixir De Nutz will strip fitter for his run at Cheltenham in a race in which Ballyandy finished second and Ch'tibello third. A minor problem kept Big Blue out of that contest but the Aussie challenger shouldn’t be ignored given his form on the Flat and is 3-4 over timber.
Ballyandy 12-1 (11-0) Held up on outside, slow 3 out and 2 out, headway home bend, unable to quicken when not much room last, edged left flat, stayed on, went 2nd towards finish, just held, 2nd of 8, nk behind Call Me Lord (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Big Blue 22-1 (9-5) 3rd of 13, 2l behind Shared Ambition (8-13) at Flemington 1m 6f hcp gd in Nov.
Ch'tibello (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Held up, closed after 2nd, led approaching last, mistake and bumped at last, soon headed, held when switched left towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Call Me Lord (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Elixir De Nutz (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Led, ridden and headed approaching last, weakened flat, 7th of 8, 8 1/4l behind Call Me Lord (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Fusil Raffles (FR) 4-7fav (11-3) Tracked leader 1st, challenged between last 2, led last, driven out, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (1) gs in Nov beating Grand Sancy (11-6) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Getaway Trump (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd going well when blundered 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression in 3rd flat, 3rd of 4, 6 1/2l behind Put The Kettle On (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Quick Grabim (IRE) (10-5) 5th of 9, 13l behind Mr Adjudicator (10-5) at Auteuil 2m 3f gd in Jun.
Silver Streak (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Held up in last pair, hit 3 out, soon driven and unable to quicken, switched inside before last, stayed on into 3rd flat, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 5, 3 1/4l behind Cornerstone Lad (11-7) at Newcastle 2m (1) hvy in Nov.
Epatante (FR) 3-1fav (11-6) Held up in mid-division, smooth headway on inside before 3 out, went 2nd on bit before 2 out, led last, soon quickened clear, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 2m hcp lst (1) gs in Nov beating French Crusader (11-4) by 6l, 11 ran.
Verdana Blue (IRE) 7-2 (8-13) In touch, driven to chase leaders when not clear run 2f out to over 1f out, soon ridden, no impression in 4th final furlong, 4th of 7, 5 3/4l behind Dee Ex Bee (9-1) at Ascot 2m Grp 3 stks (1) gf in May.
