in touch, led after 2 out, ridden clear approaching last, ran on well flat
tracked leader, ridden after 2 out, soon beaten, tired when mistake last
led, clear to 3rd, ridden after 3 out, headed after next, weakened approaching last
held up, went prominent approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, one pace flat
tracked leaders, not fluent and dropped rear 6th, well behind from 4 out
Eternal Spring was the winner of a muddling sort of contest here over 2m 5f last time. One who possesses ample speed, the race was run at no sort of gallop and set up for him to outsprint them up the hill. Clearly a classy sort, he should again go close and if it becomes another tactical affair then it will probably be to his advantage. He will like the ground, though he has to prove that he will see out this three furlong-longer trip. Therefore the tentative selection here is Ad Hoc, who will also love the ground and is guaranteed to see out the distance. Clearly he won't be quite at his peak, as trainer Paul Nicholls will surely want to keep something back for his long-term goal of the 2003 Martell Grand National. That is not to say he won't be trying though, and in a race where there is no obvious pace setter, perhaps his best chance would be to take them along and make this a real stamina test. He can do just that and win. Stromness would be a real threat if he comes here well in himself. One of the leading staying novices hurdlers last season, he finished up by winning a grade 1 event at Aintree in April. Connections said he would need his first run of the season at Wetherby in November, though even so he was a shade disappointing in beating only one home, but a fit Stromness would be very interesting opposition for the aforementioned pair and he can't be dismissed lightly. Teaatral would have a definite chance on some of his old form, but he looks a shadow of his former self these days, while Rum Pointer simply does not look up to this.
