held up last, outpaced and struggling after 3 out, tailed off
tracked leading trio, went 3rd 8th, pushed along on outside and hung right appproaching 2 out, no extra from 2 out
tracked leading pair, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, rallied next, led last, driven clear run-in
raced keenly, led and disputed until 2 out where mistake, weakened soon after
led and disputed, headed approaching 2 oput, stayed challenging, every chance last, driven and went 2nd towards finish, not pace of winner
held up in 5th, smooth headway after 3 out, led approaching 2 out, headed last, one pace run-in, no extra in 3rd towards finish
Withdrawn
VROUM VROUM MAG can give Willie Mullins late hope of wresting the trainers' title. She's only suffered one defeat in 11 races over hurdles and fences and arrives of the back of a smooth victory in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham. She won a bumper on fast ground in France so should handle conditions. Ptit Zig was second to the brilliant Thistlecrack in the World Hurdle so it's no surprise that he's kept to the smaller obstacles here. He looks the best of the Nicholls' trio and may be the danger as Vaniteux races over hurdles for the first time in more than a year. Ubak and Silsol finished 1-2 in a valuable handicap at Aintree and make more appeal than Court Minstrel and San Benedeto.
Court Minstrel (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Held up in last, losing touch 6th, went 4th well before 3 out, never any chance, 4th of 6, dist behind Annie Power (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr.
Ubak (FR) 16-1 (11-0) In touch, challenged 2 out, led last, ridden run-in, held on towards finish, won at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Apr beating If In Doubt (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 19 ran.
Ptit Zig (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, tracked leaders 8th, effort between last 2, went 2nd when not fluent last, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no chance with impressive winner flat, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Thistlecrack (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m (1) hvy in Jan.
San Benedeto (FR) 16-1 (11-8) In touch, lost place after 4 out, ridden and stayed on under pressure from 2 out, never on terms, 6th of 22, 14 1/2l behind Party Rock (10-8) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Silsol (GER) 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 4th, led before 2 out, ridden and headed last, no extra and lost 2nd place last 50 yards, 3rd of 19, 5l behind Ubak (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Vaniteux (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, ridden and 1 1/2 lengths off winner when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Vroum Vroum Mag (FR) 4-6fav (11-5) Held up towards rear of mid-division, smooth headway on outside 4 out, switched inside next, challenged going well between last 2, led approaching last, ridden out flat, kept on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Mar beating Rock On The Moor (11-5) by 2 3/4l, 19 ran.
