tracked leaders, led 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on well run-in
tracked leader, pushed along after 3 out, chased winner from next, stayed on same pace before last
led to 2 out, weakened rapidly
held up, headway 3 out to chase leading pair after 2 out, weakened before last
held up in mid-division, blundered 6th, ridden and no impression from 3 out
held up in rear, ridden and struggling from 3 out
in touch, hit 6th, weakened soon after 3 out
keen, held up in rear, steady headway approaching 2 out, went 3rd before last, one pace run-in (will improve)
chased leaders until weakened before 2 out
held up last, not fluent 4th, stayed on under pressure after 2 out to press for 3rd before last, weakened and no impression run-in
This is a fantastic start to a fantastic day of racing at Cheltenham with Brewster, Ladalko, Lady Zephyr, Ambobo, Royal Hector and Moulin Riche all given chances but the vote goes to Lady Zephyr. Brewster comes here as a very progressive type, a point that was franked by virtue of his length-and-three-quarter defeat of previous Grade 2 scorer Ladalko, who reopposes on the same terms here, in Newbury's Grade 1 Challow Hurdle last time. In his previous race, Ladalko had Lady Zephyr two lengths away in third, but Nigel Twiston-Davies' mare is now seven pounds better off at the weights. Consequently, the mare must be granted all due respect, as must Brewster who, having already won over course and distance, will not fear this track. Martin Pipe's multiple winner, Royal Hector, has already proven himself useful and has earned his place in the line-up, while Irish raider Eurochancer displayed good qualities to score at Navan last time, but this looks a step up today, and it is very interesting to see Howard Johnson's Mephisto, who won the Ebor in August, pitched in at the deep end on his hurdling debut. Add into the mix the fact that the French raiders Ambobo and Moulin Riche come here with good reputations then you can see why we feel we have a race to savour. As such, it is hard to be dogmatic in naming the winner but, given her weight pull, we will side with Lady Zephyr.
