tracked leader, led narrowly and joined 2 out, pressed last, headed and not pace of winner run-in, lost 2nd near finish
not fluent and not going well in rear, hard driven and no impression 3 out, stayed on to chase clear leading pair between last 2, strong run to lead run-in, driven clear
took keen hold, led to after 1st, settled behind leaders, challenged from 2 out, upsides and every chance when mistake last, not pace of winner run-in, took 2nd near finish
pulled hard, led after 1st, headed and slightly hampered 2 out, chased leading pair to between last 2, soon weakened
held up in last pair, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, blundered last
We can readily dismiss the bottom two here and concentrate on Lough Derg, Zimbabwe, Chief Yeoman and Andreas, with preference for Chief Yeoman. Unfancied in the Triumph Hurdle here last month, he put up a massive effort to come second to Made In Japan, and with the winner again running well at Aintree last time, Venetia Williams' charge has to be the logical choice here in this small field. Zimbabwe and Lough Derg will both go well on this surface. Zimbabwe was a bit disappointing in the Triumph and will likely be more at home in this size of field, so can go well with a weight pull, while Lough Derg comes here fresh after no such Festival exertions and is given plenty of respect. Andreas is clearly difficult to assess as he makes his British debut here, but Paul Nicholls would not enter him if he did not think he was capable of doing himself justice and we should watch the market to see what sort of confidence the yard have. With that cautionary note in mind, we will side with Chief Yeoman to frank Triumph Hurdle form.
