chased leading pair, challenging for lead when over jumped and stumbled 2nd, stayed in 3rd, hit 3 out, weakened soon after and eased when no chance
well in rear off strong pace, still plenty to do 3 out, headway before next, chased leaders 2 out, stayed on same pace from last
chased leader, led 2nd and set strong pace, driven after 3 out, headed before next, weakened soon after
behind and off the pace, soon ridden along, ridden and headway from 3 out, chased leaders and every chance 2 out, 3rd and stayed on same pace flat
held up towards rear and off the pace, headway after 3 out, weakened to 8th when fell 2 out
behind and well off the strong pace, mistake 5th, ridden and no response soon after, behind and no chance when hampered 2 out
chased clear leaders, closed up 4th, chased leaders after 3 out, led 2 out, driven clear from last, stayed on strongly
chased clear leaders, closed 4th, chased leading pair after 3 out, every chance 2 out, chased winner before last, no impression
held up towards rear, headway from 3 out, one pace in 6th and no impression from 2 out
led until 2nd, chased leader at strong pace, led before 2 out, headed 2 out, weakened before last
Nonrunner
Barizan, Australia Day and Black Jack Blues could get in each other's way as all three like to make the running or at least race prominently and the potential tactical battle certainly muddies the waters. Paul Nicholls' pair merit the utmost respect but American Trilogy is entitled to need this before going chasing whilst Tito Bustillo needs to take a step forwards this season which is something that Nearby has done but this demands more. The race could pan out ideally for ASHKAZAR who returned from the wilderness at the end of last season and certainly has the class to win at this level. David Pipe landed a big prize last Saturday and this one-time Champion Hurdle hope may be able to repeat the dose.
Australia Day (IRE) 1-2fav (11-8) Made all, soon 10l clear, driven approaching 2out, unchallenged, won at Kempton 2m hdl (2) gd in Oct beating Katchit (11-8) by 10l, 6 ran.
Ashkazar (FR) 11-4 (11-8) Tracked leading pair until slightly outpaced and niggled along 5th, regained 3rd well before 2 out, led 2 out, soon in command, won at Sandown 2m Lstd hdl (1) gd in Apr beating Siberian Tiger (11-0) by 9l, 6 ran.
Black Jack Blues (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Led 1st, ridden clear after 5th, soon in no danger, coasted home, won at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gf in Oct beating Exulto (10-4) by 9l, 8 ran.
Dee Ee Williams (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, weakened from 4th, 19th of 23, well behind Eradicate (10-1) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in May.
American Trilogy (IRE) 6-5fav (11-4) Held up in touch, headway when hit 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Alsadaa (11-0) at Sandown 2m Lstd hdl (1) gd in Apr '09.
Barizan (IRE) 6-4fav (11-6) Chased leader and clear of rest, led after 2nd and maintained strong pace, clear when hit 4th and next, ridden after 3 out, headed between last 2, no chance with winner when lost 2nd and hit last, weakened flat, 3rd of 8, 26l behind Clerk's Choice (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4yo hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Nearby 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division, steady headway 3 out, driven to lead last, ridden and kept on well flat, won at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Oct beating Heron Bay (10-3) by 3l, 16 ran.
Tito Bustillo (FR) 11-2 (11-2) Held up in touch, ridden after 4 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 12, 22l behind Overturn (10-7) at Ayr 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Leslingtaylor (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on to take 3rd close home, 3rd of 21, 7l behind Dee Ee Williams (11-12) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Ultimate 10-1 (10-12) Chased clear leading pair, closed and went 2nd after 4th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 8, 37l behind Clerk's Choice (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4yo hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Simply Blue 9-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, headway halfway, soon chasing leaders, driven to lead approaching last, ran on well, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Oct '09 beating Humble Opinion (11-6) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
