in touch, chased winner from 3 out, kept on one pace from next, no chance with winner
chased leaders, kept on same pace from 3 out
mid-division, weakened 3 out, tailed off
made all, not fluent 4th, mistake 2 out, in command before last, driven clear run in, unchallenged
mid-division, stayed on under pressure from 3 out, mistake next, stayed on to take 3rd run in
mid-division, mistake and weakened 3 out, tailed off
held up, mistakes 3 out, one pace and beaten when hit next
always in rear, mistake 2nd, tailed off when mistake 3 out
mid-division, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
not fluent in rear, mistakes 3rd and next, beaten 3 out, tailed off
chased winner to 3 out, weakening when mistakes 2 out, beat last
chased leaders until weakened before 2 out
Le Passing, Nathos and Mister Mustard form our idea of the principals here, with the vote going to Le Passing. The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding has won his last two races in good style and has a progressive profile. With more to come he might be able to get the better of the likeable Nathos, who has also scored twice over hurdles and might appreciate returning to the minimum trip here. Mister Mustard was a short head second to one of Paul Nicholls' team at Bangor last time and should appreciate this stiffer test. He might represent the each-way value. Of the others, Cloudy Grey won two of his four bumpers last season, displaying good form in the process. The downside to his chance is the lack of a recent run on his hurdling debut. Roman Hideaway is lightly raced on the Flat but has won four of his eight races in that sphere at up to two miles, while Nicky Henderson's Sangatte has shown little in two starts. From what we know, Labelthou and Montosari look best of the rest but for the selection we nominate Le Passing.
