held up and always behind
never fluent, led, ridden and headed 8th, soon weakened, tailed off
held up and always behind
held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
in touch, headway 5th, slightly outpaced after 3 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on well close home
held up, headway after 6th, ridden and every chance 2 out, 3rd and held when hung left run-in
prominent, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
in touch until 7th, soon tailed off
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
An interesting line-up for this handicap hurdle and a narrow vote goes to Direct Flight but there are plenty that can be considered. The selection gets the call because he is lightly raced and has looked progressive in his career so far. Also, his current mark seems fair and his capable rider claims seven off his back. The five-year-old Delaware Boy is also lightly raced and came good in an amateurs' event last time so he could go well, as could Just Kate, who also falls into the category of lightly-raced, young and progressive. Will Of The People has proven very consistent and runs for Martin Pipe, while Nicky Henderson's Cupboard Lover would hold a chance on his best form but has not been seen since April 2003. Sure Future is just two pound above a winning mark, although that success came two years ago, but he ran fairly well last time. With Deferlant racing from just four pounds above a winning mark and Leroy's Sister capable of improvement this is, as we say, an interesting race, with the vote going to Direct Flight.
