led, jumped right at times, not fluent and headed 6th, not fluent 3 out, driven and no impression next, eased flat
held up in last, behind from 7th, went 3rd 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, led next, clear 2 out, easily
tracked leader until 5th, lost touch from 7th, lost remote 3rd 2 out
A fascinating little heat that should prove a head-to-head between Pass The Time and Abidjan providing both deliver a clear round. The Mulholland mare has been campaigned at a high level on recent starts over timber, having finished an excellent fourth in the Grade 1 Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival behind Vroom Vroom Mag before finishing sixth of seven in another Grade 1 in Punchestown. However, her overall hurdling record does spell inconsistency and she jumped poorly on her sole chasing start when beaten in a three-horse affair. She receives a stone from ABIDJAN which could bring the pair close together if she has improved her fencing technique. However, the Nicholls inmate has been superbly placed by the champion trainer to land four of his last five starts and scored with something to spare on his chasing debut last month. He may just prove the safer option and receives narrow preference. King Of Milan is next best.
Abidjan (FR) 1-2fav (11-0) Always prominent, not much room 2nd, switched inside before next, led narrowly after 4 out, ridden clear between last 2, not fluent last, stayed on well, won at Newton Abbot 2m (3) gd in May beating War Singer (11-0) by 5l, 6 ran.
King Of Milan (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Led, hit 6th, headed next, mistake 8th, dropped to rear 4 out, went modest 3rd briefly when mistake 2 out, kept on to regain 3rd post, no chance with leaders, 3rd of 4, 23 1/4l behind War Singer (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in May.
Pass The Time 25-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, slight mistake 4th, 3rd halfway, lost place approaching 2 out where slightly left, ridden and dropped towards rear entering straight, no impression before last, 6th of 7, 14 1/2l behind Whiteout (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 2f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Spurned Girl 40-1 (10-5) Chased winner until after 4th, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 8, 33 3/4l behind Magna Cartor (10-12) at Southwell 2m (4) gd in May.
