held up towards rear, pushed along 6 out, outpaced next, stayed on same pace from 2 out
in touch, reminders 6th, pushed along 13th, headway under pressure 6 out, challenged 4 out, led 2 out, stayed on strongly
not fluent, held up in rear, blundered and unseated rider 12th
tracked leaders, pushed along 6 out, ridden when mistake 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
soon tracking leaders, led 7th, ridden and headed 2 out, one-paced after
towards rear, pushed along 5 out, ridden and outpaced next
led to 7th, remained prominent, every chance 5 out, mistake next, soon weakened
Plenty of old favourites in this, none more so than Samuel Wilderspin, who confirmed his well being when runner-up to the well handicapped Iris Bleu at Cheltenham. The Handicapper has seen fit to raise him 3lb for that effort, which seems a little harsh, but he is a game sort, who looks sure to run his race. Infrasonique found the Hennessy too competitive and will be more at home in this, while Moor Lane comes from a yard that is flying at present and is worthy of respect. However, the TEAMtalk selection is Spendid, who has been campaigned over hurdles since he was pulled up in the 2000 Hennessy. He has run with plenty of credit over the smaller obstacles, in the face of some stiff tasks. He returns to fences some 9lbs lower than his last chasing mark and he is taken to make the most of the opportunity.
