held up in rear, headway after 4 out, ridden approaching next, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, ridden and weakened after 4 out
held up, pushed along 6th, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out
led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, soon led, ridden out
chased leader, losing place when hit 6th, held off when pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear weakened before 7th, tailed when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, led last, soon headed, no extra flat
Not the most competitive of handicap hurdles and Kinburn looks the one to be on, with Nolife, Political Cruise and Bright Steel capable of fighting out the minors. Kinburn has to give weight away all around and also has to prove he handles cut, but he certainly stays and that will stand him in good stead on this ground. Although the race he won at Wetherby last time was no classic, the form of it looks good enough to give him every chance of seeing off some more average opponents and claiming back-to-back wins. Nolife is on a hat-trick and comes from a yard going well. We anticipate that he will again run to form in conditions and on a track that he loves. However, he may need to improve a little to beat the selection and on the balance of his form he does not seem to be doing that, so with a 5lb rise since that last win we are prepared to oppose. Political Cruise won a poor race at Hexham the other day and although conditions are also to his liking this looks tougher, while Bright Steel will complete and will love the ground, but looks a bit too slow to land the money, and for that we take Kinburn as the selection.
