held up in touch, improved to go prominent after 8th, ridden to go 2nd 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner
close up, weakened after 4th
held up towards rear, never dangerous
held up in rear, headway after 4th to go in touch, ridden when mistake and fell 9th
in touch, chased winner 4th, weakened after 3 out
held up in touch, ridden 10th, never dangerous
led, headed 2nd, remained close up, weakened 4 out
Espresso Forte, Cosi Celeste and Key To The Kingdom are three against the field in this maiden hurdle and the vote is given to Espresso Forte. The selection ran well for a long way last time out when third behind Darkness at Plumpton. He has since gone on to run well and with drop in trip in his favour and more improvement still to come, our selection should take plenty of beating. Cosi Celeste ran well at Southwell a couple of outings ago but he has failed to reproduce that effort since, and although he would have claims on the pick of his form, he still has plenty to prove at present. Key To The Kingdom was disappointing in Ireland last time, but he was unsuited by the heavy ground and this faster surface might bring about some improvement. Of the remainder, Stanwick Gypsy jumped poorly last time and can't be backed with any confidence, and for the winner we return to Espresso Forte.