disputed lead to 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
whipped round start, always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up, headway after 6th, led 3 out, driven clear approaching last, ran on
in touch until stumbled and unseated rider 6th
in touch to 5th, behind when blundered 7th, pulled up before next
disputed lead, led 5th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
chased leaders to 5th, soon behind, tailed off
held up, headway after 7th, chased winner and mistake 2 out, not quicken flat
A very informative contest to open the card and one that will produce a few winners in the future. The Nicky Henderson-trained Far Horizon has the best form on offer and, with his stable in such good form at present, he is hard to ignore. However, it is worth bearing in mind that he was toyed with by Rhinestone Cowboy and he is greatly flattered by his proximity to Jonjo O'Neill's star at Newbury last time. That race was run six seconds slower than division one of the same contest and will therefore face the first test of it's worth today. He was also absent for almost two years prior to that outing and it remains to be seen how he will cope with two outings within a month after such a long lay-off. Master Trix also caught something of a tartar at Newbury but ran respectably enough to merit consideration as that was only his second outing over hurdles. The third in that race gave the form something of a boost earlier in the week and he is a big threat to all here. Benrajah, like most of the field, is a stayer in the making and shapes as if he will need a touch further than this to be seen at his best. His stable is in good form though, and he is a progressive type so he cannot be ruled out of a having place claims at a decent price. Copsale Lad is another who will learn greatly from this and should be up to winning in time if his debut is anything to go by. But our selection rests with Supreme Hill, who is also developing with every run and could be good value here. The Charlie Mann-trained five-year-old has some useful form in bumpers to his name and is open to any amount of improvement now that he is has his hurdles debut under his belt. He ran as if needing the run on behind Coolnagorna at Chepstow last month, but he had some useful horses trailing in after him on that occasion and he should be a lot wiser as to what is expected of him this time around.
