prominent until ridden and weakened approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch until weakened approaching 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
prominent until approaching 4th, soon behind
held up and keen early, always behind
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
made all, not fluent 1st, clear last, eased considerably flat
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 9th
tracked winner, mistake 7th, ridden and lost 2nd next, weakened 9th
held up, some headway after 7th, lost touch next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always prominent, went 2nd 8th, shaken up approaching last, no chance with winner
Many of these are open to improvement but Lord Gale could hold the edge at this stage and gets the nod over Rollo and On The Verge, who are also on the right track. The latter is one of the more experienced runners in the field that can play a leading role in this company. However, his wins to runs ratio is not too impressive and, as the first time headgear smacks of desperation, he may again be vulnerable to a less exposed type. Rollo is harder to assess, as has plenty of scope for the future and was just getting back into contention when he slipped on landing three flights from home on his latest start. He shapes as if this trip will be what he needs and he is one to monitor carefully in the betting. Nevertheless, Lord Gale showed plenty of promise in three starts before a respectable effort in finishing mid-division in the Champion bumper at Cheltenham. He looks a useful stayer in the making and should be kept on the right side of now that he tackles hurdles in public.
