prominent, chased leader approaching 3rd until after next, ridden and weakening when slightly hampered stumbled and unseated rider on bend approachind 4 out
always behind
mid-division, not fluent 3rd, lost place next, soon weakened
held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, steady headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, stayed on one paced flat
tracked leaders to approaching 3rd, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, some headway when mistake 2 out, stayed on flat, never near to challenge
held up towardrs rear and keen, headway under pressure 3 out, every chance close home, kept on
led, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed on flat
in touch, headway approaching 4 out, mistake next, ran on well to lead close home
in touch, headway to challenge 3 out, led next, ridden and edged left approaching last, hung left flat, headed close home
held up, headway approaching 3 out, not fluent last, stayed on flat
held up in touch and keen, some headway approaching 4 out, never dangerous
A competitive hurdle to start the day with the weights headed by Chapeltown, who like his stablemate Dusk Duel, will be making comebacks after injury. The former, a winner at this meeting back in 2001, looks to have plenty to do on the face of it, but he was an improving performer when last seen and it remains to be seen whether he retains his ability. Dusk Duel, a high-class hurdler, quickly made up into an even better chaser and may well have beaten Best Mate on his debut over fences, had he not lost his footing on landing over the second last at Cheltenham. He tackles timber for the first time in three years and is best watched for the present, even though he looks well treated. Several come into this with solid handicap form including Brooklyn's Gold, Milligan and Reviewer, while Gin Palace's defeat of Forest Tune was made to look much better when the latter won at Ludlow in the week. However, a chance is taken with Swan Knight, who looked as though he was returning to form at Stratford.
