Left in lead 1st, clear when hampered and by loose horse and came back to field 3rd, soon headed, pressed leader, led again between last 2, clear last, driven out, readily op 4/7 and tchd 8/13
Raced keenly, held up behind, took closer order after 3rd, mistake 2 out, went 2nd between last 2, one pace before last, no chance with winner after op 7/2 tchd 3/1
Adjutant (1/2), Thaqaffa (10/3), Black Noah (6/1), Maliboo (7/1), En Coeur (25/1), Avlos (50/1), Poor Duke (66/1), Casado (66/1)
C&D winner Adjutant sets the standard after scoring here 17 days ago and will be tough to topple despite conceding weight all round. He wouldn't have much to spare on best Flat form over THAQAFFA however and with the Amy Murphy team going well lately (3-9) he's given the nod for a winning start over timber. Black Noah ran well sole hurdles start in Ireland and may leave his recent AW form behind.