led, jumped right from 5th, ridden and headed after 3 out, kept on same pace
chased leader until 5th, weakened quickly 3 out, pulled up before next
chased leaders, close 4th when slipped up on bend approaching 5th
never fluent, held up, went 3rd after 3 out, soon weakened
held up, pecked badly 1st, headway approaching 5th, led after 3 out, kept on well
Nonrunner
Kings Castle has been running well in similar grade of late and has to be respected, along with recent Plumpton runner-up Caliban, but a chance is taken with Iambe de La See. Nicky Henderson's gelding has not been easy to win with but the nine-year-old mare has been performing with credit over fences of late and has more than enough ability to take care of today's rivals back over timber. Caliban only just failed to get up against Mr Ferbet at Plumpton on Sunday and the Ian Williams-trained gelding has to be respected, if in the same mood today. Martin Pipe's Better Moment probably bounced at Uttoxeter last month on his second quick start after a long break and is probably best watched at present, while Brochrua receives plenty of weight but has given little sign of encouragement of late. Kings Castle has an obvious chance on recent form but would probably want further and preference is for Iambe de La See, who is taken to make a winning return to hurdles.
Caliban (IRE) 2-1fav Led, narrowly headed and bumped 3 out, left chasing winner last, strong challenge flat, just failed, 2nd of 11, shd behind Mr Fernet at Plumpton 2m clm hdl (F) gd.
Iambe de La See (FR) 6-4 Led until headed 2 out, weakened rapidly, 3rd of 4, 10l behind Master T at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (E) gd in Mar.
Blues Story (FR) 50-1 Chased leaders until weakened quickly approaching 6th, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Ziggy Zen at N Abbot 2m 3f sll hdl (G) gd in Mar.
Lucky Do (IRE) 20-1 Held up, headway 3rd, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 15, well behind Penny's Crown at Hereford 2m 3f sll hdl (G) sft in Feb.
Brochrua (IRE) 5-1 Led, headed and weakened 7th, 8th of 10, 27l behind Herne Bay at Stratford 2m 3f sll hdl (G) sft in Mar.
Kings Castle (IRE) 13-8fav Held up, headway 6th, led 2 out, clear last, eased flat, won at Southwell 2m 5f sll hdl (G) gd in Apr beating Homeleigh Mooncoin by 11l, 10 ran.
Better Moment (IRE) 8-1 Led, headed after 7th, weakening when mistake 9th, 9th of 10, well behind Clearly Now at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-100 (G) sft in Apr.
