held up last, jumped right 1st, not fluent 6th, reminder after next, not fluent 8th, never on terms, weakened before 4 out
jumped right at times, chased leaders, outpaced before 13th, soon weakened
raced keenly, led until 9th, pressed leader, led again next, hit 2 out and joined, headed between last 2, slightly hampered and switched right run-in, kept on same pace
in touch, closer in 3rd at 7th (water), stayed on same pace from 3 out, hit next, no chance with leading duo
high head carriage, in touch, closer at 6th, pushed along in 4th before 4 out, no impression
tracked leader, led 9th until next, pressed leader, not fluent 3 out, challenged next, edged left and led between last 2, hung left run-in, stayed on well
Several smart hurdlers make a reappearance though none have jumped a fence before. La Bague Au Roi has won a Grade 2 hurdle at Ascot and Richard Johnson is back on board while though Thomas Campbell lost his way early this year he is a Listed winner at Cheltenham over timber. LOSTINTRANSLATION is another useful type having been narrowly denied in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree in April. He may prove good enough now chasing representing Colin Tizzard’s powerful yard and gets a speculative vote. Talkischeap won a handicap hurdle over 3m here back in February and could also go well on his chasing bow..
Absolute Power 5-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden when slow 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 33 1/2l behind Mulcahys Hill (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Book of Gold (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, reminders before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Lostintranslation (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, steady headway from 7th, ridden after 3 out, hit last and led, soon headed, edged right and led again 120 yards out, stayed on, headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Black Op (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr.
Talkischeap (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Mid-division, lost place before 3 out, weakened and behind next, pulled up after last, at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Mar.
Thomas Campbell 16-1 (11-7) Held up in touch on outside after 1st, ridden and lost place after 9th, well beaten from next, pulled up before 3 out, at Aintree 3m 1f (1) sft in Apr.
La Bague Au Roi (FR) 14-1 (11-3) Tracked clear leader disputing 2nd, ridden in moderate 3rd 2 out, weakened entering straight, 7th of 12, 33 3/4l behind Faugheen (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr.
