tracked leaders, challenged on inside 2 out, soon led, driven clear between last 2, in no danger after, stayed on well, comfortably
mi-division, lost place before 4 out, soon behind, weakened from next, tailed off
mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, behind from next, plugged on to take modest 4th closing stages, no chance with leaders
tracked leader to after 6th, in touch, driven and lost place when hampered before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up towards rear, blundered 4th, headway when edged left before 3 out, soon challenged, driven and lost place before next, weakened between last 2, tailed off
led, driven 2 out, soon headed, readily outpaced by clear pair between last 2, no danger in clear 3rd after
in touch, joined leader after 6th, went left next, driven and lost place after 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
held up behind, headway 4 out, joined leaders on outside after next, ridden and outpaced by winner between last 2, kept on but no chance from last
mistake 1st, held up behind, headway 3 out, chased clear leaders before next, never able to challenge, lost modest 4th closing stages
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ runners at this meetings are always worth a second look and Juge Et Parti has placed in six of his 10 hurdles starts, though was beaten in a lower grade last time. Imperial Elixir was last of three at Market Rasen and only beat one home at Catterick the time before so has some improving to do. Braid Blue was unbeaten in bumpers but has been a little disappointing so far over timber, though should be capable of better. SKIDDAW VALLEYS won over 1m6f on the Flat so should appreciate this trip over hurdles. He’s been keeping slightly better company than this and not disgraced.
Braid Blue (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division early, 11th from 3rd, no impression approaching straight, kept on same pace without threatening, 6th of 24, 28 1/2l behind Discordantly (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn Good - Yielding in Apr.
Cons Amigo (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, driven and lost place over 4f out, ridden and weakened 3f out, 10th of 12, dist behind December Second (11-0) at Ayr 2m (3) gd in Apr.
Emirat De Catana (FR) 50-1 (11-0) Led until 3rd, lost 2nd after 5th, 6th and beaten 3 out, well held 4th from next, 4th of 11, 30 1/4l behind Lucky Lover Boy (10-7) at Newcastle 2m (4) gs in Mar.
Farran Dancer (IRE) 10-11fav (12-0) Trckd ldr; led 15; pushed out, won at Ampton 3m mdn in Mar beating Bobba Benetta (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Imperial Elixir (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up in last, not always fluent, effort 2 out, every chance last, switched left and unable to quicken, last of 3, 3 3/4l behind Lady Camelot (10-1) at Market Rasen 2m 5f mdn (4) gd in Mar.
Juge Et Parti (FR) 5-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders on inside, pushed along after 7th, lost place when ridden after 4 out, stayed on into modest 3rd after last, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Diomede des Mottes (11-2) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (5) gd in Mar.
Knockoura (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led before 3 out, headed next, weakened last, 6th of 11, 23 1/2l behind Nelson Road (11-0) at Newcastle 2m 5f (4) gs in Apr.
Skiddaw Valleys 6-1 (11-0) Settled off the pace in 4th, took closer order 4 out, effort when mistake 2 out, soon outpaced, stayed on in to 2nd after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 5l behind Captain Moirette (11-6) at Haydock 2m (3) sft in Mar.
Lastofthecosmics 40-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, headway over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 16 1/2l behind Lemon T (11-0) at Newcastle 2m (5) gs in Mar.
