mid-division, smooth headway to track leader 3 out, joined leader approaching last, ridden and led after last and ran on well
tracked leaders, headway to lead after 8th, ridden after 3 out, headed after last and no extra run in
behind, effort after 5th, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, soon ridden, blundered badly 2 out, kept on from last
in touch, blundered 5th, soon led until headed after 8th, soon ridden and no extra
always behind, tailed off from 6th and pulled up before 8th
led, hit 4th, headed after next and stayed in touch until ridden after 3 out and soon weakened
in touch, lost place from 7th, soon tailed off
Kasthari showed improved form on the flat when dead-heating in the Doncaster Cup and is taken to carry on the improved form back over hurdles with the main dangers expected to be St Matthew and Paperprophet. The last mentioned is trained by Nicky Richards and while still open to improvement the handicapper has taken no chances with the son of Glory Of Dancer. Richards is also responsible for The French Furze, who makes a belated reappearance. The 10-year-old can go well when fresh but would probably want a stiffer test of stamina than the ground here will afford and he may be best watched today. Sue Smith has her string in good form at present and her representative St Matthew confirmed his current well being with a decent effort in defeat behind Telemoss and Wetherby last week. The handicapper has probably overreacted to that though and he may struggle to give so much weight away to the selection. Useful chaser Truckers Tavern is interesting reverting to hurdles and has to be considered off what looks a favourable mark along with Kid'z'play, who is on a hat trick but Kasthari has an obvious chance and gets the vote.
