led until 5th, chased winner, ridden when hit 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leader, led 5th, ran on well from last, comfortably
always behind, tailed off and pulled up after 4th
pulled hard towards rear, headway after 4th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from next
held up towards rear, some headway after 4th, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next
whipped round start, dwelt badly, always behind, tailed off when fell 2 out
mid-division until weakened after 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, jumped left 3rd, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, went second after 3 out until next, soon ridden, kept on same pace
in touch, tracking winner when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, not pace of winner from last
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, 8th and no chance when fell 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off
mistake 2nd, always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
stumbled 1st, always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
Nicky Henderson has a number of decent novice hurdlers this season and Chantaco was touted to be up amongst the best prior to his hurdling debut at Taunton. Formerly verging on listed class on the flat, Chantaco duly scored at Taunton but not in the manner one would have envisaged and has something to prove here. Sent about his business a fair way out, Chantaco had to battle hard in the closing stages but can be expected to come on for that initial experience. There was a lot to like about his attitude and the second has since picked up a small novice hurdle which is a further encouragement. Chantaco will not find Abstract Art a pushover though. Abstract Art finished third in what appeared a decent novice hurdle at Sandown, the winner being Chantaco's highly regarded stable companion Punchestowns with the second being the promising, The Package. 8l behind him was Talenti, a former Ballydoyle inmate who has been well supported in novice hurdles previously. Abstract Art may just be vulnerable to the pace of Chantaco on drying ground, having left the impression he would prefer further at Sandown. Poliglotti was beaten by a smart novice last time in Kingscape and is beginning to look exposed while Quaser d'Oudairies cause a shock last time but has more on his plate here. Chantaco is open to plenty of improvement and while he will need to display that to land this, he is our selection.
Abstract Art (USA) 11-2 (11-8) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 12l behind Punchestowns (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Chantaco (USA) 15-8fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, led after 2 out, hard ridden flat, just held on, won at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb beating Prince du Seuil (11-2) by a shd, 11 ran.
Big Ralph 16-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 14, 14l behind Turbo Linn (10-12) at Lingfield 1m 5f nhf (6) pol in Nov '06.
Cornas (NZ) 11-1 (11-2) Led, hit 5th and next, ridden, headed approaching 2 out, gradually faded, 5th of 16, 28l behind Tampa Boy (11-2) at Hereford 2m 1f nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Elton 80-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, no impression, 10th of 17, 46l behind Dansimar (9-8) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Eva Soneva So Fast (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) In touch, mistake 5th and lost place, weakened 7th, 9th of 14, well behind Krackatara (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Exit To Side (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Led and keen, mistake 5th, headed next, weakened quickly after 4 out, pulled up before next pulled up 5 out in race won by Hinton Thunderbolt (11-1) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft, 10 ran.
Grandos (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Chased leaders until 5th, soon behind, 7th of 12, well behind Bremen (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (5) gs.
Justabout 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, effort 3f out, weakened 2f out, 10th of 15, 28l behind Seefin Mountain (10-10) at Wincanton 2m mdn nhf (5) gd.
Poliglotti (FR) 9-4 (11-1) Soon chasing leader, led after 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, beaten when mistake last, 2nd of 14, 7l behind Kingscape (11-1) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Quasar d'Oudairies (FR) 33-1 (10-7) Always prominent, led and not much room after 2 out, clear last, ran on well, won at Hereford 2m 1f nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Feb beating Hills of Home (10-11) by 6l, 16 ran.
Weststern (GER) 12-1 (11-2) Led until headed 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 19l behind Donaldson (10-8) at Fakenham 2m cnd mdn hdl (4) gd.
Histoire De Moeurs (FR) 100-1 (10-10) Mid-division, blundered 5th, soon weakened, tailed off, 18th of 19, well behind Pasco (11-9) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Norisan 100-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 10th of 13, 41l behind Pierrot Lunaire (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Riff Raff 50-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, ridden over 5f out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Bugsy's Boy (9-0) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb (Flat).
Dalayla (IRE) 100-1 (9-13) Always in the rear, 10th of 13, 44l behind Ashleys Petale (10-4) at Fontwell 1m 6f mdn nhf (6) gd in Feb.
Kilmeena Magic 100-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, stayed on well from 2 out, 4th of 15, 6l behind Owlesbury Dream (10-12) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
