held up in touch, headway when mistake 3 out, effort approaching last, one pace run in
raced keen towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, ridden to challenge approaching last, every chance when mistake last, not extra run in
raced alone, in touch on inside, hit 3 out, soon outpaced
tracked leaders, close up 2 out, ridden approaching last, led run in, ran on well
led, ridden 2 out, headed after last, kept on
held up in rear, headway after 2 out, ridden and effort approaching last, kept on one pace run in
tracked leaders, headway and every chance approaching last, no extra run in
The Bula sees the return to action of the leading two-mile hurdler of last season Rooster Booster and the Philip Hobbs-trained gelding is difficult to oppose back at the scene of his greatest triumph with Flame Creek and Rigmarole rated the main dangers. Rigmarole has improved this term in much the same way that Rooster Booster did last season but this is a stiff task for the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding who surely will find this too tough for him. Flame Creek, who disappointed in the Champion Hurdle in March reverts to the smaller obstacles after an unconvincing spell over fences. He has to be respected, along with Jonjo O'Neill's Specular. Owner J P McManus paid handsomely for the son of Danehill, who was nine times a winner over hurdles in his native Australia. The seven-year-old warrants the utmost of respect but may just need time to acclimatise. The Nicky Richards-trained The French Furze sprung a surprise when winning the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle last time but, with the ground likely to be less testing here, he has more to do today. As we have already said Rooster Booster improved throughout all of last season and there is no reason to suggest that he cannot make a winning return off level weights against horses he really should beat.
