in touch, headway to chase leading pair going well last, ridden and kept on well flat, not reach leaders
held up, headway 7th, tracking leaders when hit 3 out, one pace from next
held up, mistake 2nd, some headway after 7th, soon beaten
held up towards rear, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous
held up, headway 6th, challenged on bit throughout, soon led, ridden approaching last, ran on well
held up, stayed on from 2 out, never near to challenge
mid-division, headway under pressure approaching 3 out, tracking leaders when slightly hampered on bend approaching last, stayed on one pace last
held up, some late progress, never dangerous
with leaders until 6th, soon weakened
held up in touch, mistake 5th, some headway after 3 out, no impression
mid-division, ridden 6th, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on
in touch, headway 5th, led just after 6th, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, ridden and effort approaching 3 out, stayed on well flat, nearest finish
behind, headway approaching 3 out, never near leaders
prominent until approaching 3 out
in touch until approaching 2 out
mistake 4th, always behind
prominent until 6th
prominent, weakening when blundered 7th
mid-division, headway 2 out, edged left, stayed on flat, nearest finish
made most until just after 6th, weakening when hampered on bend after next
held up in rear, headway approaching 7th, chased winner approaching last, kept on flat
always towards rear
with leaders until weakened approaching 7th
took keen hold in touch, went 2nd after 7th, led 2 out, soon headed, weakened last
The presence of Rhinestone Cowboy at the top of the handicap ensures that two thirds of the field have to race from out of the weights proper, so this may not be as competitive as the numbers would suggest and the vote goes to Dromlease Express, who is preferred to Inca Trail. The last mentioned is a full-brother to Best Mate and has, not surprisingly, failed to live up to early expectations and comparisons. However, there was plenty to like about the way he quickened clear at Wincanton last time and there may be more to come from a relatively unexposed horse. Five-year-olds have a poor record in this contest so the likes of Mughas, Starzaan and Mon Villez look worth taking on and a bigger threat to the selection may come from Monkerhostin. The Philip Hobbs-trained gelding showed improved form to land the Rendlesham Hurdle at Kempton last month but conditions race form does not always work out in handicaps and, at the forecast odds, we would rather look elsewhere. Rhinestone Cowboy is undoubtedly a classy performer and should be well suited by the likely strong gallop here. However, Jonjo O'Neill's gelding has to give a huge amount of weight away to his rivals and it will be a surprise if there is not one rival who is ahead of the handicapper. The Irish have for a long time held a good record in this contest and among those with chances are the progressive Rosaker from the Noel Meade stable, Tom Taaffe's Emotional Moment and the Mouse Morris-trained Keepatem, who comes here fresher than most after just one start this term. The vote though goes to Dromlease Express. The Charles Byrnes-trained gelding has also been lightly raced this term and, having landed a gamble on his second start at Naas, was an impressive winner of Leopardstown's Pierse Hurdle on his third, and most recent start, in January. Admittedly the handicapper has seen fit to raise him significantly for that success and the six-year-old has to race from out of the weights by 6lbs but there should be plenty more improvement to come and he gets the nod.
