held up, headway approaching 3 out, kept on from next
held up, pushed along approaching 4th, soon struggling, tailed off from 3 out
in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on and no impression approaching last
chased leaders, pushed along approaching 4th, soon struggling, pulled up before 6th
chased leaders, challenged when hit 2 out, soon ridden, not quicken flat
chased leader, driven along 5th, soon struggling
This is quite an interesting affair, with Talarive getting a narrow vote over Xaipete, Shalbeblue and Dabus. Much as the selection is seven pounds above a winning mark, he has put in some good runs from higher marks and loves to get his toe in. Xaipete is a course and distance winner who, while not quite the 116-rated force of 2000, has won from his current mark over fences and can be given a chance here, while Shalbeblue wins in his turn and will not mind the going. He has also won from his current mark, albeit back in 2002, but is still capable of running well at this level. Six-time Irish winner - including over hurdles and fences - Khairabar, will be fitter for a recent Flat spin and Richard Johnson is an interesting booking, while Always Rainbows has been out of form of late but Dabus won a Sedgefield seller from today's mark in September, which puts him in with a shout, although he has no winning form with give in the going. Although Mister Moussac has been well held since winning twice in June, the handicapper is at least starting to relent with his mark but, overall, with him not being fully proven on soft going, we will look elsewhere, and that elsewhere is Talarive.
