mostly jumped well, made all, clear after 3 out, in no danger when dived at the last, kept on strongly, unchallenged
mistakes, took keen hold, tracked winner, hit 4th and 6th, mistake 3 out, pushed along and no impression before next
tracked leading pair until 2nd, chased leading trio, pushed along and outpaced after 5th, struggling when mistake 3 out, pulled up before next
pulled hard, held up tracking leading trio, pulled way up tracking leading pair 2nd, pushed along before 2 out, no extra
last pair, not fluent 2nd, tailed off when mistake 3 out, went remote 4th before next
in rear, mistake 1st, jumped violently left next, soon detached, refused 3rd
BARDD looked one to be wary of when only second last time at Uttoxeter but the same can be said of likely market rival Adrrastos, who is even more exposed, and there are few viable alternatives. Nicky Henderson’s charge should finally get his head in front over hurdles as Flat winner Dusky Raider was scheduled to run last night at Stratford. Zephyros also won on the level but may need the experience.
Adrrastos (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, led 1st, headed soon after, in touch, led again 3rd, headed approaching 2 out, no impression with front pair before last, 3rd of 5, 16l behind Sir Antony Browne (11-6) at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Mar.
Bardd (IRE) 5-4jfav (11-5) Took keen hold, held up, headway on outside 4 out, 2nd 3 out, led before 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Indian Brave (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Apr.
Spice Boat 50-1 (8-12) Chased leader, led over 4f out until 3f out, weakened quickly, soon behind, tailed off, last of 12, dist behind Living Leader (9-3) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Zephyros (GER) 4-1fav (9-5) Close up, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 10, 14 1/2l behind Tommys Geal (8-11) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Bit Spicy (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Behind, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, dist behind Little Chunk (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn (4) gd in Mar.
Inch Wing (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, jumped left 1st, weakened before 5th, pulled up before next, at Lingfield 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec.
Dusky Raider (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 10 3/4l behind Sporty Yankee (9-0) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp (5) sft in Sep.
