tracked leading pair, ridden approaching 2 out, jumped left, kept on one pace
led, ridden and headed 2 out, switched left approaching last, no further impression
tracked leader, ridden to lead 2 out, edged right approaching last, ridden out
held up, behind from 4th
held up, beaten 4th
An intriguing renewal where CELESTIAL HALO is preferred to the returning Osana and the enigmatic Afsoun. The 2008 Triumph Hurdle winner made a pleasing reappearance behind Binocular at Ascot last time. He is a strong stayer and had to make his own running there; with the track not playing to his strengths it was a fine effort in defeat and he is expected to run very well in this before going on to win the Champion Hurdle and reverse the form with Binocular. Osana was second in last-year's Champion Hurdle and David Pipe's gelding is an unrelenting front-runner. He put up a brave effort when last seen at the Grand National meeting and he has a big season ahead of him but his style of racing may just leave him vulnerable late on as he concedes 4lb to Celestial Halo. Afsoun won this race last year and Nicky Henderson's gelding has had a mixed history since. His performances as a Novice Chaser left plenty to be desired but he ran a better race returned to hurdles last time. Alph is the only other feasible rival but he has a lot to find on the ratings and at the age of 12 it would be a big surprise were he to prevail despite some consistent efforts recently, and so we will return to Celestial Halo to continue his march to Cheltenham.
Afsoun (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Led, jumped left, ridden 2 out, soon headed, kept on from last, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Songe (11-6) at Haydock 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) sft.
Osana (FR) 11-4jt-fav (11-7) Led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, stayed on to regain 2nd flat, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Al Eile (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Alph 50-1 (11-4) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, kept on under pressure but never troubled leaders, 4th of 8, 6l behind Chomba Womba (11-1) at Ascot 2m 3f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Celestial Halo (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Led, soon clear, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on, not pace of winner, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Binocular (11-4) at Ascot 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
Dusky Lord 5-1 (11-5) Mistake 2nd, held up towards rear, driven and struggling well before 2 out, 8th of 17, 24l behind Oslot (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Apr '07.
The Big Orse 10-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, prominent, paced winner after 2f, lost 2nd 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 19l behind Shinrock Paddy (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m nhf lst (1) sft in Nov.
