made all, driven clear when hit 2 out, ridden out flat, comfortably
held up in touch, went 3rd from 3rd, hit next, not fluent 4 out, soon outpaced by clear pair, kept on under pressure from last, never on terms
tracked winner throughout, pushed along after 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, no chance with winner from next
tracked leaders, lost place when not fluent 3rd, behind from 3 out, soon tailed off
tracked leaders, hit 2nd, lost place when not fluent next, outpaced 4 out, remote 4th from next, tailed off
held up in rear, struggling 3 out, disputed remote 4th when mistake next, weakened last, tailed off
Hestina has winning form over hurdles, but hasn’t looked the easiest of rides in her recent outings, so preference is for MCGROARTY. He already has two wins to his name this summer, including a victory in a useful bumper at Gowran Park last month and is likely to be well prepared on his hurdles debut for a respected stable. Free One showed moderate improvement at Uttoxeter and rates the main danger. Tred Softly and Stun Gun were only modest on the flat and are best watched here.
Hestina (FR) 3-1 (10-10) Took keen hold, disputed 2nd until before 4th, went 2nd again last, ridden and pressing winner flat, held close home, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Peruvien Bleu (10-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in May.
Free One (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Reluctant and very slowly away, behind, headway when left 3rd 3 out, went 2nd before last, stayed on, not trouble winner, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Ravens Hill (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Jun.
Mcgroarty (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Held up behind leaders, headway to dispute lead 4f out, led over 2f out and soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f gf in Jun beating Court Tycoon (12-0) by 8 1/2l, 8 ran.
Stun Gun 20-1 (8-3) Always behind, weakened over 1f out, tailed off, last of 8, 22 1/2l behind Lean On Pete (8-11) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Tred Softly (IRE) 11-2 (8-10) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, kept on and just held post, 2nd of 8, hd behind Lean On Pete (8-11) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Reivers Lodge 33-1 (10-7) Pulled hard towards rear, some headway before 4 out, modest 6th 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, dist behind Otter Moon (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Jul.
