made all, ridden and 1 length advantage when left well clear 2 out, unchallenged after
tracked winner from 2nd, 1 length down and going well when fell 2 out
tracked winner to 2nd, tracked leading pair, outpaced after 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, no chance with winner when lost 2nd last
raced in last pair, outpaced 5th, left well beaten 4th 2 out, never near leaders
held up in last pair, outpaced 3 out, left 3rd 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd last, no chance with winner
Grandouet has made good progress over hurdles in the last year culminating with victory in the Champion 4YO Hurdle at Punchestown in May. Even better is expected this season, but he may find CELESTIAL HALO too good on this occasion. The latter won this on his seasonal bow in 2009 and proved he was still capable of winning at this level with a Grade 2 success at Fontwell in February this year. Act Of Kalanisi is an up and coming hurdler having won two of his four starts, but this is a tough opener to a new season, while Simply Blue and Aine's Delight will do well to figure from so far out of the handicap
Celestial Halo (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Led, pecked slightly 4th, headed 7th, not fluent next, lost place approaching 3 out, weakened before next, last of 8, 26l behind Oscar Whisky (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) gd in Apr.
Grandouet (FR) 5-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders racing keenly, 3rd halfway, challenged entering straight, led travelling best approaching last, soon drew clear and stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in May beating Kumbeshwar (11-0) by 9l, 7 ran.
Act Of Kalanisi (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Chased leading pair, went 2nd before 6th, soon challenging, led 4 out, hit next, narrow lead when went right and blundered 2 out, soon recovered, stayed on gamely flat, won at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) sft in Feb beating On Borrowed Wings (10-8) by hd, 11 ran.
Simply Blue 16-1 (10-5) Keen held up, hit 6th, headway next, ridden and weakened 3 out, 9th of 10, well behind King Of The Night (11-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Aine's Delight (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, steady headway on inside approaching 2 out, switched right flat, kept on closing stages, 4th of 10, 6l behind Dragon's Den (10-8) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Oct.
