in touch, hit 3rd, ridden before 6th, weakened 3 out, blundered 2 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, chased winner 6th, ridden when not fluent 2 out, stayed on same pace, no impression
led until 2nd, chased winner, not fluent 3rd, weakened 3 out
mid-division in well strung out field, headway from 3 out, went 3rd approaching 2 out, never nearer
with leader, led 2nd, in command from 2 out, steadied when not fluent last, pushed out
held up well in rear, mistake 2nd, headway after 3 out, went 4th before 2 out, no impression
jumped slowly 1st, soon well behind, not fluent 5th, tailed off
towards rear in well strung out field, headway to go 5th before 5th, soon ridden, weakened approaching next, tailed off when pulled up before last
always well behind, tailed off
tracked leaders, lost place after 3rd, weakened approaching 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
In form and well served by the framing of this Novice Hurdle SALTAGIOO is given the vote ahead of Cool Touch while Hilfiger looks best of the rest. Having scored by nine lengths when beating a decent yard stick in a maiden last time the pick looks well worth his mark of 120. He beat home a subsequent winner that day and with Tony McCoy booked he looks primed for another big run. Cool Touch has clear claims on his own easy win in maiden company two starts ago. The form is also working out from that race and after a bold bid in a similar contest to this last time he is a leading contender. Hilfiger was a winner on the level in Germany and has made his presence felt in a couple of starts over timber. He has progressed well in those runs and only slight improvement might be good enough. Astania comes into this having won a point to point on just his second start in that sphere but improvement will be needed if he is to get the better of Saltagioo.
Cool Touch (IRE) 9-4 (11-4) Tracked leader, led after 3rd, hit 3 out, strongly pressed 2 out, hit last, soon headed, no extra, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Clear Sailing (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gf in May.
Den Maschine 17-2 (11-4) Mid-division, mistake 1st, headway approaching 3 out, edged left before last, stayed on flat, 4th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Clear Sailing (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gf in May.
Saltagioo (ITY) 4-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, chased leader until led approaching 5th where not fluent, joined before 2 out, went clear approaching last, ran on, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf beating Souter Point (10-11) by 9l, 11 ran.
Danimix (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 4th, weakened next, 6th of 10, well behind Australia Day (11-0) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Hilfiger (GER) 10-3 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders 5th, chased winner 2 out, kept on from last, always held, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Lion On The Prowl (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in May.
Society Venue 66-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Chain Of Command (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 15 ran.
Swiss Guard 16-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, mistake 3 out, driven and outpaced next, weakened last, 7th of 8, 16l behind Beidh Tine Anseo (10-9) at Cartmel 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Astania 4-1 (11-0) Ap; led 8-9; led 11; easy, won at Cothelstone 2m 4f ptp gf in Apr beating Merry Terry (12-0) by 6l, 11 ran.
Welcome Wonder 100-1 (10-0) Not fluent 2nd, always towards rear, 8th of 11, 18l behind Clear Sailing (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gf in May.
Princess Soraya 16-1 (10-11) Held up in touch on outside, pushed along after 5th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Play A Cord (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd, 7 ran.
