held up, ridden after 4 out, headway next, not fluent 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, led briefly between last two, hit last, switched left flat, ran on under pressure
tracked leaders, led 5th, headed between last two, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, effort approaching 4 out, some headway next, never dangerous
in touch, pushed along after 3rd, ridden 4 out, weakened next, soon eased
towards rear, reminders after 1st, mistake 2nd, always struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, ridden 4 out, weakened next, pulled up before last
held up, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, one pace approaching last
chased leaders, hit 4th, ridden and every chance 3 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway 4 out, hit 2 out, led approaching last, edged right flat, all out
led, hit and headed 5th, weakened next
towards rear, reminder after 4th, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
with leaders, hit 4th, weakened next, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, blundered 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, mistake 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Another cracking contest in which the JCB Triumph Hurdle appears to hold the key to this event. The winner there Spectroscope has done nothing but improve with every outing, and he is the one they will all be trying to beat. Well Chief, runner up to him at Cheltenham, may again provide the biggest threat. He had already proven himself around a sharp circuit, as he showed when winning around Kempton. He is a speedy sort, who could take a bit of beating with the emphasis more on speed around here. Murghas left behind his previous efforts when a close up fifth in the Triumph and with a 4lbs pull with both Spectroscope and Well Chief, he chance is there for all to see. Others to consider include Moneytrain, a casualty at Cheltenham, Far Pavillions, who has been mopping up in minor events, but is still open to improvement, and Starzaan, who will be more at home on this flat track, rather than the undulations of Cheltenham.
