finished 3rd, beaten 2 lengths, chased leaders, led 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no extra flat
held up mid-division, pulled up before 4th
led, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened
behind, ridden 3 out, kept on from next, never dangerous
prominent, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up mid-division, ridden and weakened from 3 out
chased leaders until weakened 7th
always towards rear
in touch, ridden and weakened after 3 out
always behind, tailed off from 7th, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, pushed along after 3rd, never dangerous
held up mid-division, ridden 2 out, ran on strongly from last to take 2nd flat, nearest at finish
close up, hit 5th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden to challenge 2 out, soon led, clear flat
pulled hard, behind, saddle slipped, pulled up after 3rd
A 10lb penalty may not be enough to halt the progress of Trabolgan and Nicky Henderson's charge is fancied to enhance his Cheltenham Festival credentials at the main expense of The Dark Lord and Traveller's Heir - although Rambling Minister and Classic Native should also find winning races within them in due course and both are worth noting in running today. However, they lack the scope of Trabolgan, who has shown a good level of progression since starting out on his hurdles campaign at the start of this season. The son of King's Ride does have a little to prove as he faced only modest opposition when he hacked up in a slow time at Newbury last month. But there can be no doubting that the six-year-old looked several stages ahead of his rivals on that day and it will be surprising if he does not take this slightly tougher race in his stride. Traveller's Heir has disappointed on occasions and is opposed with The Dark Lord as the one expected to give the selection the most to think about; even though Lucy Wadham's charge also has a little to find on balance. He was going well until falling at Huntingdon late last year though and he could at least make a fist of it if he manages a clear round today. The likelihood is that he will find Trabolgan too good though, and the Henderson team will have to decide between the Supreme Novices' or the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' hurdle if all goes well for him here.
