tracked leading pair, pushed along after 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out until before the last, stayed on same pace in 3rd
held up in 4th, pushed along before 2 out, went 2nd before the last, stayed on same pace run-in, never going pace to challenge
tracked winner, pushed along after 3 out, lost 2nd and weakened before 2 out
made all, hit 7th, came clear before 2 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
NonRunner
Top Ville Ben is a useful chaser but it’s a long time since he showed any worthwhile form over hurdles. Dan Mcgrue looks to be well out of his depth but On The Blind Side takes a big drop in class and has the highest rating of these. Calva D'Auge has only run once over this trip before but did win on that occasion, though that was on fast ground. EMITOM is a speculative choice as he is a Grade 2 winner over hurdles and also a previous winner here. Fourth in the Stayers’ Hurdle in 2020, he hasn’t been disgraced in a couple of runs over fences this term and might just be suited by a temporary return to hurdling.
Dan McGrue (IRE) 66-1 (11-8) Midfield, not fluent 8th, niggled along next, went fourth approaching 2 out, made no impression, 3rd of 9, 16 1/2l behind Jepeck (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Emitom (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Held up and always last, often jumped right final circuit, lost touch 13th, plugged on, never any chance, last of 3, 8 3/4l behind Threeunderthrufive (11-5) at Doncaster 3m (1) gs in Dec.
On The Blind Side (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leader until before 5th, soon outpaced, well beaten from 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Top Ville Ben (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Held up in midfield, headway before 4 out, ridden before 3 out, close up 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 9, 10 1/4l behind Good Boy Bobby (11-8) at Wetherby 3m hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Calva D'Auge (FR) 8-1 (11-11) Chased leader, pushed along before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened well before last, 8th of 11, 29 3/4l behind Earlofthecotswolds (10-13) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
