pulled hard, held up in last pair, effort to track leaders from 3 out, every chance 2 out, edged left and weakened before last
tracked leader, led after 2 out, pushed clear flat
chased leaders, driven along and one pace approaching 2 out, 5th and no chance when blundered badly last
took keen hold, held up in last pair, mistake 3 out, effort on outer 2 out, stayed on to take 3rd flat
raced keenly and wide, tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, weakened and blundered 2 out, pulled up before last
led to after 2 out, not quicken, flat
The Paul Nicholls-trained Lord Lington heads the weights for this amateur riders' handicap hurdle but looks to be on a stiff mark for his debut in the grade and preference is for Silk Trader, who gets the verdict over Tosawi. The last mentioned returned to winning ways when beating Figaro Du Rocher at Exeter earlier this month but faces no easy task under a 7lb penalty. Robbie Can Can represents the in-form stable of Tony Carroll and advertised his well being with a creditable second at Leicester when last seen over hurdles. The five-year-old has been kept fit on the all-weather since and won a handicap at Lingfield last month. However, the son of Robellino is not particularly well treated for his return to hurdling and we prefer to side with Silk Trader. John Mackie's nine-year-old reverted from chasing when third behind the well-handicapped Grand Finale over course and distance last month, a run that indicated his turn would be coming soon. Golly has not got a great deal of weight to carry and has to be respected with his stable in good form, as does the Philip Hobbs-trained Night Driver but the vote goes to Silk Trader.
