held up until blundered and fell 2nd
led, headed 3 out, chased winner but no chance after, kept on under pressure to hold 2nd run-in
held up, mistake 8th, effort to lead 3 out, soon in command, pushed out run-in
tracked leader, mistake 2nd, driven along from 8th, 4th and weakening when unseated rider 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, stayed on same pace after
Forever Dream is given the verdict ahead of Andreas, Haafel and Nathos. Philip Hobbs has his team in good shape at present and so hopes are high that Forever Dream can make a winning start to his new career. The son of Afzal was starting to creep up the weights over hurdles despite finding one too good more often than not, and may have better fortune over the larger obstacles. The opposition today is certainly no stronger than past rivals, and with fitness on his side, he can prevail. Andreas has been absent since April but was successful over hurdles in France, and like so many of his compatriots, will no doubt take to fences like a duck to water. Haafel has been off the track even longer and in addition has not had much experience over hurdles, let alone the larger obstacles. Nathos was beaten a distance on his chase debut at Kempton but can only improve, and may in fact prove to be the main stumbling block to Forever Dream who is taken to come out on top.
