chased leader from 3rd, challenged 2 out, led on bit approaching last, very easily
mistake 3rd, headway approaching 2 out, mistake last, one pace flat
towards rear, ridden 3 out, behind from next
led, not fluent, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra flat
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, hampered soon after, weakened
held up towards rear, mistake 3 out, behind from 2 out
behind, headway 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders approaching 2 out, stayed on flat
held up, headway after 3 out, 3rd and held when fell next
Grave Doubts should have lined up in this but misses out, handing the race on a plate to Thisthatandtother. Paul Nicholls' charge, a high-class bumper horse last season, with appearances at Cheltenham and Aintree, returned to the scene of his one victory when making mincemeat of his rivals on his timber debut two weeks ago. Immediately targeted at this race, he is expected to take high order amongst the current crop of novices and may well be aimed at the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. His opponents simply do not look good enough, with Balkirk nothing special, so the one to chase him home could be West Coaster. Although not in the same league as Henrietta Knight's stable-stars, he has shaped well in bumper company at Newbury and Kempton, and if some of their shine has rubbed off on him, he can at least provide the forecast to the TEAMtalk selection.
