held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, weakened next
headway 2nd, led 4th, ridden and headed approaching last, not quicken
held up soon ridden along, headway 4 out, led on the bit approaching last, ran on well
held up, mistake 3rd, ridden and every chance 4 out, onepaced next
prominent, ridden after 5th soon beaten
held up, ridden and no chance 4 out
prominent but weakened from 4 out, pulled up 2 out
led to 3rd, soon ridden, weakened and behind from 5th
chased leader, led 3rd to after 4th, headed and onepaced 3 out
Despite some far-from-fluent hurdling, World Wide Web opened his account over timber in this country when winning at Sandown two weeks ago. Jonjo O'Neill's ex-Irish gelding has been raised 9lbs for that success and,under similarly testing conditions, he has to be respected especially if hurdling better. Having lost his way over fences, the Paul Nicholls-trained Joyeux Royal returns to hurdles but does not appear to be particularly well treated, while the consistent Dollar Law is again likely to find at least one too good. That one may well be Canada, who looks to have been given every chance by the handicapper on his debut in this company. A useful middle distance horse on the flat with Barry Hills, the son of Ezzoud made a pleasing debut over timber when successful at Haydock 12 months ago. Only once raced over timber since, when pulled up behind Scolardy in the Triumph Hurdle, the five-year-old is rated just 117 for his first outing in a handicap. Fitness should not be a problem and he can take advantage of what looks a lenient mark.
