Connections readily admitted that blinkers might not have made a blind bit of difference to Blazing Bailey, who came into this second best to Inglis Drver and he had looked like finishing ahead of his nemesis in this last year when crashing out four out. He nearly repeated the trick at the same hurdle, which saw him come under maximum pressure. He took time to recover as others travelled better but he ground out the win with the help of others blundering and running out of stamina.
The form is perplexing and bookmakers clearly did not know how to react in leaving Inglis Drever, who will be ten, as the 4-1 favourite and Blazing Bailey, who has been soundly beaten twice, 10-1 for next year's World Hurlde. Neither make any appeal compared torising star of Kasbah Bliss, who remains 6-1 with Paddy Power.
Faasel remains a law unto himself, having thrown in some stinkers as well as high-class efforts since his Triumph Hurdle second and his Grade 1 Anniversary win here as a juvenile. He ran well to chase home Aces Four here over fences and whether it is this time of year or the tight track but he seems to thrive at the venue. He is still relatively unexposed as a staying hurdler and has shown aptitude. if he had not rapped the last, he might have been closer, but he had started to hang right when going past the toiling Ballyfitz and Kicks For Free.
This race's worth revolves around the assessment of the triple World Hurdle winner Inglis Drever. He has clearly not run to within a stone of his Cheltenham or Newbury best, again showing a dislike of this tight track. As a year ago, he needed driving along to go out on the last circuit and for more than half of it, he looked like finising in the last three. He showed his customary guts to somehow get into contention two out but he showed his tiredness into the last, going left and diving over it. Connections confirmed he would definitely not be brought back to this track again, with a fourth World Hurdle bid depending on how he summersand comes back next winter.
Ballyfitz has run a cracker for a handicapper making the transition to Graded company. He looked a likely winner around the home bend but pressure built at the second-last, when he made a mistake but kept battling away for another progressive effort.
Stamina looked more of an issue for Coral Cup runner-up Kicks For Free as he moved up menacingly into the second-last, only to blunder and lost his footing behind. He could not recover but is another who has continued his upward curve through the season.
Millenium Royal travelled well at the back before staying on, but the ground was not as soft as he requires. He could have been expected to finish closer on official figuresbut has not been disgraced.
Flight Leader, another who would have preferred softer ground, was left behind into the straight but was not beaten that far in the end, suggesting he is getting his eye back in after a truncated season. Chief Dan George, a winner at this meeting last year and not disgraced in the World Hurdle, was a big disappointment after a horror show of hurdling. He banked the first and seemed to lose all confidence. This strapping gelding is much better than this and it may be that chasing awaits. [BJ]
Tote
Further Information
Racing results courtesy of racing post. Please note that ever effort is made to ensure results are correct but I accept no liability for mistakes. The data is provided as a free service.
Please visit my Blog or sign up to my racing forum for the latest news and views.