held up in rear, brief effort on outer on long run after 7th, soon no extra and beaten
held up inrear, steady headway from 6th, ridden to chase leader on long run to last, switched left, quickened run in, led near finish
in rear, brief effort on long run to last, no response, virtually pulled up run in
held up until unseated rider 2nd
in touch until outpaced after 7th
took keen hold and held up in rear, steady headway 7th, stayed on to take 3rd run in, never nearer
held up towards rear, good headway to chase leader after 7th, 6th and beaten when blundered last
lost place 2nd, kept on under pressure after 7th, never dangerous
narrow lead, ridden on on long run after 7th, headed last, no extra run in
close up until weakened 7th
chased leaders until weakened 7th
held up in mid-division, good headway to chase leader after 7th, led last, headed and unable to quicken near finish
mostly chased leader from 3rd, ridden and every chance when hit last, onepaced run in
in mid-division, pushed along 4th, kept on one pace under pressure before last
Nas Na Riogh catches the eye here ahead of Chauvinist, Hawadeth and Gin Palace. The Nicky Henderson-trained selection was a very useful juvenile hurdler but injury has restricted her performances this year. Admittedly, recent runs have been disappointing although there have been good noises coming out of the stable of late and the going is something that will certainly be in her favour. Henderson has left Chauvinist in at the top of the handicap and if he repeats the form of his Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham last season then he has to come into the reckoning. Hawadeth has been running well all season and is now a pound lower in the ratings than for his very good County Hurdle second in March, so he is one for the shortlist in a race in which just a few have that little bit of class. Feel The Pride, from the Jonjo O'Neill stable, comes here on the back of a win, albeit it a fairly modest level, but one who could go well is Gin Palace. He was bitterly disappointing at Aintree last time when he looked to hold a good chance, but a number of horses ran disappointingly at Liverpool on going that may not have ridden as quickly as many thought it would. If you can forgive him that effort then he could go well. It is interesting that Nicky Henderson has booked Barry Geraghty for his other runner, First Love, and he, along with one or two others, could go well at bigger prices. However, if she is back to anywhere near her best, Nas Na Riogh looks well handicapped will do for us.
