tracked leader, led approaching 6th, ridden and headed next, mistake 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up and keen, headway 8th, led 4 out, headed 3 out, with winner and every chance when fell last
slow jump 1st, in touch throughout, headway to lead approaching 4 out, soon headed, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, mistake 6th, ridden and headway 8th, soon beaten
held up, headway after 9th, mistake 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, left 2nd last
held up, headway 8th, took closer order 4 out, led after 3 out, ridden and left clear last, kept on
rear, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on from 3, not a danger
led to 5th, headed next, led again 7th, headed next, ridden and weakened 3 out, soon one pace
always in rear, soon ridden along, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
The Venetia Williams-trained Flaminion Way, who had form in Irish point-to-points could be interesting on his rules debut, especially with his stable in such good form, but the eight-year-old is difficult to recommend and we prefer to side with Dimitri, who gets the verdict over Lotus Des Pictons. The selection hails from the in-form stable of Steve Gollings and confirmed the promise of his debut effort in a decent Chepstow bumper when chasing home Sherkin Island at Uttoxeter on his hurdling debut earlier this month. The son of Roselier probably has most to fear from Martin Pipe's Lotus Des Pictons, although the French-bred gelding has yet to sparkle in two starts for current connections. Hugh Morrison's Taffy Dancer was little better than moderate on the flat and was probably flattered by his second to Big Moment first time out over hurdles at Fontwell last month. However, he makes more appeal than Dextra Lighting from the out of form stable of Colin Tizzard and the Richard Phillips-trained Mandingo Chief. With little strength in depth among the opposition, this is taken to go to Dimitri, who is taken to gain a deserved first success.
