prominent, mistake 7th, fell 10th
chased leaders, weakened from 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up, reminders 6th, tailed off from 8th
held up in touch, smooth headway to track leaders halfway,close up and every chance when fell 5 out
prominent, hit and led 12th, clear from 3 out, eased towards finish
led to 2nd, chased leaders until outpaced 5 out, driven next, kept on to take 2nd after last, no chance with winner
close up, led 2nd, headed 12th, quickly weakened from 4 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 12th, ridden to chase winner from 5 out, faded after 2 out
behind, reminders after 7th, tailed off from next, pulled up before 9th
Another competitive little affair and one in which Abalvino might get the best of things but you can rule out hardly any of them. The Paul Webber-trained selection was second in this race last year and has been aimed at the race again by his astute trainer. Among his main dangers are possibly Paul Nicholls useful novice from last year, Armaturk, and Tysou, from the in-form Nicky Henderson yard and coming into this race on the back of a good run at Sandown last time. Of the others, Exit Swinger is certainly well-handicapped on the best of his form and, although he looked like being nearly top-class at one time, Europa is possibly opposable off topweight, although he did finish third in this race last year. As we say, a tight affair, but one that might just go to Abalvino.
