held up in touch, chased leaders 2 out, led and soon clear approaching last, pushed out flat
tracked leaders, jumped slowly 3rd, headway to challenge 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
held up, behind from 4 out, fell flat approaching 2 out
raced keen early, soon led, joined 3 out, headed after next, stayed on one pace
held up in touch, headway to challenge 3 out, ridden and one pace from next
raced keen tracking leaders, ridden and weakened 4 out
held up, struggling 5 out, behind from next, pulled up bef 2 out
held up, ridden 6th, pulled up before 4 out
By no means the best novice contest so far this season, with little experience for us to go on and the one that stands out of the racecard is Rutledge Red. Malcolm Jefferson's yard are in good form and Rutledge Red has been one of those producing the goods, with successive wins at Marker Rasen recently meaning a rise of 11lbs, but that should not be enough to stop him here and he is the TEAMtalk selection over a trip that suits. Harmonic has also won his last two starts over hurdles, including a course and distance win last time. However, the five-year-old has had plenty of experience over hurdles before those first two successes and it seems unlikely that there is too much more room for improvement and also that he will be good enough to peg back the selection with just a 5lb advantage. Matt Gingell's Steppes also has ability but has a bit to prove after being pulled up last time. The remainder look moderate, though Luftikus is an interesting challenger from Germany and it might pay to have a good look at him both in the paddock and on the way down before discounting him on his first start for two and a half years.
