in touch, reminders 6th, outpaced from 4 out
midfield, ridden and kept on one pace from last, never on terms
led, headed 7th, blundered 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, raced wide, lost place 4 out, soon ridden and one paced
always towards rear
in touch, went 2nd 4 out, left in lead 2 out, ridden flat, kept on
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
midfield, outpaced 7th, behind when pulled up before last
in touch, chased leaders 4 out, left remote 2nd 2 out, kept on flat, no impression
tracked leaders, led 7th, just in front when fell 2 out
behind, headway 9th, ridden and stayed on well under pressure from 2 out, nearest finish
Another weak looking contest on paper that should be well within the grasp of Apadi, with Double Blade, Taming and Ambushed expected to give him most to do. Apadi has at least got winning form round here, albeit in selling company over hurdles three years ago. He has found it hard to maintain a good level of form since and it has to be pointed out that he was far too keen when runner-up to Fiery Peace on his second outing over fences at Market Rasen 10 days ago. Even so, that form reads better than anything achieved by his opponents today and he has obvious claims. His main rival appears to be Double Blade who has slightly more experience over the bigger obstacles but lacks a turn of foot and is becoming frustrating to follow. Taming could be anything over fences, but has not been out since finishing down the field in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham in March and it remains to be seen how he will cope. Any money for Venetia Williams' inmate would be interesting, but we prefer the claims of Apadi on this occasion.