tracked leaders and keen early, hit 3rd, mistake 7th, soon lost place, quickly weakened 10th, soon pulled up
soon tracking leaders, weakened approaching 12th
made all and jumped left, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on
held up in rear, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when hit last
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from next
tracked winner, pushed along approaching 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from last
The betting market will give us a few clues as to whether Henry Daly has managed to rekindle the interest of Ankles Back, who is capable of going close on the best of his form but is a risky proposition after failing to complete in his last three starts. Therefore Rudi Knight looks a more reliable option and is selected as the one to be on here. Iverian, as a more experienced chaser than Baikaline, completes the shortlist of those to concentrate on for now. Iverian came won off a 17lb higher mark around this time last year and can be a tough nut to crack when he is in the mood. However, he has been a frustrating horse to follow lately and will not want the ground to be on the testing side of good. Ankles Back is much better than his form figures (or letters, as they read at the moment) would have you believe. He made a good start to his chasing career twelve months ago and is more than capable of getting competitive in this company. Nevertheless, Rudi Knight, who hails from a yard that could hardly be in better form, presents a more solid case for a punt today. The nine-year-old took a little time to adjust to fences and a little careful to start with. However, he came through his novice season with a couple of victories under his belt and, now that he has got the benefit of a few runs behind him, he can take the opportunity to exploit any weaknesses in the rest this afternoon.
