held up in touch, jumped right 1st and 2nd, driven and headway on inside to lead approaching 2 out, soon challenged, ran on strongly
tracked leaders, outpaced before 2 out, kept on under pressure closing stages, never a threat
tracked leader, every chance approaching 2 out, outpaced by leaders before last, kept on same pace
led until approaching 2 out, weakening when mistake last
held up in touch, dropped to rear after 2nd, jumped slowly next, mistake 3 out, took closer order approaching 2 out, weakened before last
pulled hard in rear, tracked leaders after 2nd, every chance last, no extra closing stages
With seven consecutive winners, this was in danger of becoming a benefit race for Nicky Henderson until the sequence was broken last year. He runs hurdling newcomer and dual bumper winner Whatswrongwithyou but last year’s winning trainer has strong claims again with JUST A STING. Harry Fry’s charge also won a couple of bumpers before finding one too good on his hurdling bow at Exeter and should have the measure of Warwick runner-up Shanroe Saint on that form. Colin Tizzard has wasted no time introducing Ainchea to hurdles after the latter finished second in a Cheltenham bumper on his debut while Get Out The Gate debuts under Rules for the Nicholls yard having landed a point-to-point in Ireland back in May.
Ainchea (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) In touch, smooth headway 4f out, soon tracked leaders, driven over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to press winner inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Herecomestheboom (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m (3) gd in Oct.
Get Out The Gate (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Chsd ldrs, ld bef 7th, 3l adv 4out, 4l adv gng best 2out & went clr flat, kow, easily, won at Dawstown 3m mdn gd in May beating Commodore Barry (11-11) by 6l, 9 ran.
Just A Sting (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, switched left to challenge after last, soon ridden and every chance, just held towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Dancing Shadow (10-12) at Exeter 2m 6f (3) sft in Nov.
Shanroe Saint 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, left in lead 4th, headed when not fluent 2 out, stayed on, no impression on winner towards finish, 2nd of 12, 3 3/4l behind Harefield (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Vango De Vaige (FR) 80-1 (10-12) Behind, mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, rallied after next, stayed on well to go 2nd after last, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 11, 26l behind Kilbricken Storm (10-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f (3) sft in Nov.
Whatswrongwithyou (IRE) 15-8fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 3 3/4l behind Planet Nine (11-7) at Perth 2m (4) gd in Apr.
Mellow Ben (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Hampered 1st, always towards rear, never involved, 10th of 15, 17 1/4l behind Kildisart (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f mdn (3) gs in Nov.
