tracked leader, led approaching 3 out, soon ridden, headed 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner
always behind, pushed along approaching 5 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, led on bit 3 out, canter
held up in touch, hit 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened when hit last
led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
Unless Kent improves dramatically on his flat race form, the Ian Williams-trained Hirapour looks to have been found a suitable opportunity to complete a fourth successive win over hurdles. The selection was the best of these on the level (rated 99 at his best) and, after a slow start to his career over timber, the son of Kahyasi has hit a rich vein of form of late with wins at Ludlow, Exeter and Perth. The seven-year-old's latest victory came off a mark of 118 and, back in novice company, this represents an even easier assignment. Peter Cundell's Kent (successful of a mark of 77 at Wolverhampton in March) comes to hurdling late in his life and it will be a surprise if he is good enough to beat the selection. The remainder appear a pretty moderate bunch, with Algarve probably the pick of them.