held up in rear, headway 10th to chase leaders, effort 4 out, outpaced before next, stayed on same pace approaching last
tracked leader, led 11th, ridden and headed 4 out, stayed on under pressure approaching last, not pace of winner
mid-division, headway 6th to chase leaders, mistake 9th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, with leader after 11th, challenged 4 out, led next, pushed clear approaching last
tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, pushed along 11th, soon outpaced
behind, blundered 11th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, pushed along 10th, outpaced 5 out
Spring Margot comes into this contest on the back of an impressive win at Aintree and is sure to command plenty of support. The trip and going look ideal and he is likely to prove a formidable rival for Mr Cool, but Martin Pipe's classy performer is preferred in a fascinating contest. A winner of his last two starts in lesser company, he had previously finished seventh in the Champion Hurdle and is the class act in the contest. Valley Henry managed to get his head in front last time in a weak contest but his jumping cannot be relied upon under pressure and he looks opposable. Irish raider Big-And-Bold is fairly unexposed and open to improvement but looks up against it as does October Mist, struggling now after looking promising earlier in the season.
