chased leaders, ridden and not fluent 8th, weakened next
always behind, tailed off 7th
held up, never near leaders
always behind, tailed off 7th
held up, headway 7th, weakened 9th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
chased winner from 3rd, mistake 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 7th
chased leaders, lost place after 7th, blundered last, kept on flat
mid-division, ridden and lost place after 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
made all, clear 3 out, unchallenged
mid-division, weakened 7th, soon tailed off
There should be a couple of winners to come out of this race and the TEAMtalk selection is Priests Bridge. Nigel Twiston-Davies' mare had been the subject of many positive reports during hers career in National Hunt Flat races and she shaped up well on her hurdles debut. Staying looks to be her forte but with the ground likely to be testing, we'll give her the TEAMtalk nod on this occasion. Brereton was a tad disappointing in his hurdling debut but he did beat the useful Beethoven in a bumper last season. Mick Fitzgerald is here to take the ride for Nicky Henderson. Accepting ran a solid enough race at Newcastle and won't be trading in the ring at 33/1 today. Home James is difficult to evaluate but if the money is down, a good run should be anticipated. Great News was once rated at 85 on the flat. His optimum trip was around seven furlongs and he is best watched on debut.
