held up and keen, led 2nd, headed soon after 5th and weakened
led 1st, headed next, stayed prominent, ridden and every chance when jumped right and slipped last, not recover
prominent, headway to join leaders 5th, led approaching 3 out, driven along and challenged when fell 2 out
tracked leaders and keen, weakened 5th, well behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 5th, disputed and left in lead 2 out, challenged last, kept on well
held up towards rear, ridden and one pace from 2 out, keeping on one pace 2 out when hampered
held up, some headway 3 out, ridden soon after, no chance, ridden and soon held
This is a potentially interesting novices' hurdle with some good flat horses making their first start over timber including Reveillez, Gold Ring and Water Jump, with the vote going to the first mentioned of the trio. Mark Pitman's Finely Tuned has shown promise in four starts in bumpers but probably needs to improve to trouble some speedy sorts. Nicky Henderson's Roi de L'Odet has shown ability on the level in France and has to be respected on his first start for current connections, along with another French import Mega d'Estruval who is now in the care of Martin Pipe. Henrietta Knight's Water Jump was a Listed race winner on the flat with John Dunlop and could be interesting on his first start over hurdles. However, a long absence from the track is of concern for the son of Sauve Dancer and a bigger threat may come from Gold Ring. Jonathan Geake's gelding showed progressive form on the level last season and is the type to do well over hurdles. The vote though goes to Reveillez. James Fanshawe does particularly well with the few hurdlers that he sends out and this son of First Trump is sure to have been well schooled for his debut over timber.
