held up, headway 5th, ridden to chase leader 2 out, one pace
held up, headway 4 out, ridden to lead approaching last, hung left under pressure, but kept on
tracked leader, disputed lead 3 out, ridden to lead next, headed approaching last, switched right flat, no extra
led, ridden when headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, slow jump 6th, disputed lead 3 out, ridden next, weakened soon after
This should lie between Crystal d'Ainay and Hardy Eustace, with preference for the former but, with no pace guaranteed in such a small field, the selection may not be one to take a short price about. Hardy Eustace has yet to recapture the sort of form that saw him win the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle here last year but cannot be dismissed lightly. The French Furze has been a great servant to connections over the years but may struggle under his penalty to give weight away all round. Grey Abbey is likely to be using this as a pipe opener before returning to chasing on his debut for Howard Johnson, while neither Redemption or Tarxien, both better known as chasers these days, look good enough if the race is truly run. That being the case, this really should go to Crystal d'Ainay. Alan King's gelding was outstayed by Jonjo O'Neill's Sh Boom on his first start over three miles here on New Year's Eve and should be suited by the return to today's trip. Crystal d'Ainay is the obvious choice.
