took keen hold, tracked winner, hit 5th, no impression and lost 2nd after 3 out, kept on same pace
pulled hard, held up, hit 2nd, headway 6th, chased winner under pressure after 3 out, kept on well from 2nd, but no chance with winner
prominent, close 3rd when blundered 6th and pulled up
held up in rear, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, disputing poor 4th when blundered last
took keen hold in touch, well behind after 6th, tailed off
in touch, mistake 3rd, weakened 6th, mistake next, tailed off
made all, clear and in no danger from 2 out, eased flat
held up in rear, struggling from 6th, tailed off 3 out
took keen hold in rear, not fluent 4th, tracked weakening rivals from 2 out, no danger
Web Perceptions has proved a revelation since switching his attention to hurdling, but he has three penalties to shoulder here and although his competent amateur takes 7lbs off, he still has a stiff task and in receipt of nearly a stone, Maiful is the choice. Paul Nicholls' juvenile, third over 12-furlongs in the French provinces to a previous winner, takes up this engagement rather than take up the option of a couple of easier openings this weekend. The hint should be taken. Earlsfield Raider, a moderate performer on the level, quickly left his flat form behind when making a winning debut over timber at Sandown, in a good time. While he is open to improvement, he will need to if he is to defy his penalty. Retail Therapy, another winning debutante, didn't achieve much and will be out of her depth in this. Martin Pipe's Tamarinbleu is respected and is one to keep an eye on if the market speaks in his favour, but we will stay with Maiful to prove too strong at the weights for Web Perceptions.
