always towards rear, weakened 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, led 8th, ridden and not fluent 3 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, hit 6th, lost place after 7th, soon pulled up
mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
took keen hold early, tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
led, headed 8th, remained close up until ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, rallied next, every chance last, not quicken flat
always towards rear, pulled up after 4 out
keen hold early, tracked leaders, weakened 5 out, pulled up after next
towards rear, good headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out
mid-division, pushed along 4th, weakened next
held up towards rear, pushed along and weakened after 8th, pulled up after 4 out
mid-division, headway to join leaders 8th, hit 4 out, ridden and weakened next
The step up in trip could catch a few of these out but Cornish Rebel stands out as one that has the class to cope with any problem he is presented with at this stage of his career and Paul Nicholls' charge is preferred over Eric's Charm, Grey Report and Accipiter, who are expected to make up the main body of the opposition. Although Control Man, despite not being the most straightforward of characters, does have the ability to figure strongly and will be hard to keep out of the frame if he can be kidded along by his jockey until push comes to shove near the finish. Kastari is another who should not be underestimated as he was very useful on the Flat, but he has more on his plate in this company and may find a few more resolute at the trip. The same comments apply to Quick, who gets a handy weight-for-age allowance but has plenty to find on balance. In trust so do Eric's Charm and Grey Report, who have both improved as the season has gone on and are both entitled to be thereabouts if they run anywhere near their best. However, as is the case with Control Man, they may find Cornish Rebel is too tough to deal with and they will do very well to overhaul this full brother to the invincible Best Mate as he bids to extend his unbeaten run over hurdles to three form three.
