in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, gradually weakened
led, blundered 4th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened flat
in touch, ridden after 6th, behind and beaten from 3 out
tracked leader, led 3 out, drew clear flat, unextended
A disappointing turn out for the decent prize money on offer and this looks a good opportunity for Sporazene to get off the mark. The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding was a useful performer on the Flat in France but has proved a expensive to follow over hurdles in Britain having been a beaten favourite on both starts to date. However, this represents his easiest task to date and it is to be hoped that some extensive schooling sessions will have improved his hurdling technique. Sir Alfred had Kharak four lengths behind when scoring at Haydock last month but the latter is now 6lb better off and can reverse the form. Vigoureux was successful over timber in his native France but flopped on his British debut and faces a stiff task conceding weight all round.
