held up, steady headway 6th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, one pace
held up mid-division, headway 5th, driven on every chance 2 out, weakened
tracked leader, led 5th, ridden 2 out, challenged when mistake last, kept on well
held up towards rear, outpaced from 5th, dropped rear and stayed on approaching last
led, headed 5th, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, pressed winner last, no extra flat
tracked leaders, pecked 1st, lost place 3rd, behind from 3 out
mid-division, headway 3 out, driven to chase leaders soon after, weakening when pecked last
held up rear, headway 5th, ridden and weakened soon after 2 out
held up in touch, headway 3 out, ridden and outpaced after 2 out, ran on again after last
This looks a potentially informative trial for the Triumph Hurdle with several of the runners prominent in bookmaker's lists for the Championship race including Howle Hill, Lough Derg and Mondul, with the vote going to the first mentioned of that trio. Admittedly the selection has yet to convince as much a stablemate Trouble At Bay but Alan King's gelding is progressing along the right lines and, with his stable in fine form, he looks the percentage call. Martin Pipe has, so far, been reluctant to commit Lough Derg to the Triumph but the French-bred owing to his lack of experience but the son of Apple Tree has been impressive in two outings to date. This represents a stiffer task though and, with a strong pace likely, we would rather stick with a more experienced horse. Mondul would have claims if able to recapture the sort of form that saw him win races at Warwick and Lingfield last month but the Milton Harris-trained colt disappointed behind shock winner Sunray, who reopposes here, at Chepstow last time and is probably best watched today. Guillaume Macaire saddles both Meryl and Val du Don, who were separated by just three-quarters of a length behind Trouble At Bay over course and distance on New Year's Day. Both have plenty of experience and have to be respected. Howard Johnson introduces yet another expensive purchase from the flat in the shape of the ex-Sir Michael Stoute-trained Dalaram, while another useful flat horse Zimbabwe may be better than he has shown so far and cannot be discounted but we are happy to side with Howle Hill, who is taken to continue on the upgrade.
