held up in touch, headway halfway, led 4 out, mistake last, soon headed, no extra towards finish
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and effort 2 out, kept on same pace run-in
led, headed 4 out, ridden next, no extra from 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders to 3rd, behind from halfway
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, led after last, kept on
towards rear, pushed along halfway, weakened 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
It is a case of try, try and try again for The French Furze, who has filled the runner-up spot in this event for the last three years to Intersky Falcon, Landing Light and Barton respectively and at the age of nine, time is running out for him. This looks more competitive this year than in recent times and while last years winner Intersky Falcon will be a popular choice to follow up, preference is for Champion Hurdle runner-up Westender in receipt of a healthy 8lbs. Martin Pipe's gelding had a below-par Intersky Falcon behind him in the Champion and although there is a suspicion he is better on a stiffer track than he faces here, the weight he receives off last years winner may just swing the balance. Intersky Falcon has proved himself a high-class hurdler on all types of ground and looked just as good as ever when running away with a Grade 1 in Ireland last month. Jonjo O'Neill was reported as saying "He's a stronger horse this season" and if that is the case, the rest had better watch out. Nicky Henderson won this with Landing Light 2001 and relies on Geos this time around. A classy hurdler/chaser there is no reason why he shouldn't give a good account in this. Mister McGoldrick is an improving handicapper, but that is all he is, while the useful chaser Latalomne looks to have lost his way for the time being and this return to hurdling plus the application of the first time blinkers smacks of desperation by connections. So, in what promises to be a fascinating contest, Westender is taken to get the better of Intersky Falcon on these favourable terms.
