held up, steady headway 5th, led after 3 out, hit next, soon clear, eased run-in
held up, outpaced after 5th, rallied after 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, no impression
chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 5th, soon ridden and weakened
chased leaders, hit 4th, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression
led, headed after 3 out, weakened next
held up, reminders 4th, weakened after 4 out
tracked leader, weakened from 4 out
in rear, weakened from 5th, in 6th and well beaten when fell last
There are some interesting newcomers to hurdling in the field here including Tyrur Ted and Caltire but Duke of Touraine sets a fair standard and he is hard to oppose. Pat Haslam traditionally does well with his juvenile hurdlers and it came as no surprise to see the son of Linamix step up on his debut effort when running out the good winner of a race at Stratford last time; a reproduction of that effort may well suffice. Never Catcher made a pleasing debut at Market Rasen recently and has to be considered with the potential of further improvement. Pavanne is an interesting recruit from the flat in Ireland and now in the care of Don McCain, while John Quinn's Tyrur Ted was rated in the 70s on the level and would have every chance if able to transfer flat ability to hurdles. Mick Quinlan's Caltire was similarly capable on the flat and is another to consider but Duke of Touraine has the proven form over hurdles and he gets the vote.
Duke of Touraine (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, hit 2nd, led going well approaching 2 out, kept on well flat, won at Stratford 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Jul beating Rory Boy (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 16 ran.
Anabaa's Secret (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (8-11) Held up mid-division, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 8, 15l behind Paul The Carpet (8-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Feb (Flat).
Caltire (GER) 7-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, driven over 2f out, never reached leaders, 8th of 14, 6l behind Stage Acclaim (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) sft in Jul (Flat).
Pavanne (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Led and disputed early, 2nd after until in front over 4f out, strongly pressed from before straight, headed and kept on same pace from 1f out, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Hardwick (9-7) at Wexford 1m 5f mdn stk gf in May (Flat).
Persistent (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) Close up, ridden 3f out, with winner and every chance 2f out, weakened towards finish, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Black Falcon (9-5) at Southwell 1m 4f clm (6) fbs in Jul (Flat).
Shot Through (USA) 8-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway approaching 4th, never dangerous, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Akarshan (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Jul.
Tyrur Ted 16-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden to go 8th over 1f out, soon no impression, 11th of 28, 8l behind Munich (9-1) at Curragh 7f hcp 0-80 gs in May (Flat).
Never Catcher (IRE) 5-1 (10-5) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 17l behind Akarshan (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Jul.
Sonate De La Tour (FR) (8-8) In touch to 2f out, weakened, 9th of 14, 9l behind Belamage (9-5) at Nort-Sur-Edre 1m1f claimer g-sft in June, (Flat).
