always in rear, tailed off
held up in 7th off the pace, closed after 3 out, weakened before 2 out
held up in 4th off the pace, headway to chase clear leader 4 out, challenged and disputed 2nd at last, stayed on to take 2nd near finish
pulled hard and always in rear, tailed off
always in rear, mistake 3rd, tailed off
held up off fast pace, steady headway from 4 out, tracked leaders after next, challenged last, driven to lead flat, drew clear
mistakes, always behind, struggling from 4th, tailed off
chased leaders, mistake 5th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, one pace and no chance when hit 2 out
chased clear leader, mistake 5th, lost 2nd 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up approaching last
led and clear from 3rd, came back to field after 4 out, not fluent last, headed flat, soon no impression on winner, 2nd near finish
An interesting juvenile hurdle where plenty can be given chances. However, preference is for Versus, who has shown plenty of promise in both his starts for Charlie Mann and may represent more in the way of value than either Mioche D'Estruval and Croix De Guerre today. The Garry Moore-trained Earlsfield Raider is another to consider though as he has continued to hold his own in decent company since being tried over hurdles at the start of the season. However, he was held by the selection when they met at Sandown in a similar contest at the start of last month and will do well to reverse the form as he is 1lb worse off today. The Jonjo O'Neill-trained Selvas does throw a spanner in the works as he is hard to weigh-up in the context of this race. However, it is probably safe to assume that he would have been seen out earlier in the season had he been burning up the gallops at home. Croix De Guerre has never really looked to be the most straightforward of characters but he did shape as if there are races to be won with him last time and he is one to note in running today. Whereas Mioche D'Estruval has a little to prove after emptying tamely at Plumpton and has it all to do here under his double penalty. Therefore, Versus, who won over a mile and a half on the Flat in Germany, makes more appeal as the lesser exposed of the fancied runners in the line up this afternoon. The son of Highest Honour possesses a good turn of foot and he is expected to put it to good use in the closing stages here.
