in touch, weakened from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always in rear, tailed off from 5th
took keen hold, prominent to 5th, soon lost place and behind, tailed off
held up, mistake 3rd, pulled up before next
made all, well clear from 4th, unchallenged
pulled hard in touch, behind from 6th, tailed off
soon prominent, weakened and behind from 6th
prominent to 5th, soon lost place, tailed off
close up when stumbled and fell 4th
held up, headway 6th, ridden after 2 out, weakened when mistake last
held up, mistake 3rd, steady headway from 6th, mistake 2 out, stayed on same pace
behind, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, never dangerous
close up, mistake 5th, chased winner from 6th to after 2 out, no chance when mistake last
Not too many of these can be given a realistic chance and it will be a surprise if this does not go to Starzaan. Hugh Morrison's gelding, an 89-rated middle distance flat horse, lost no caste in defeat on his hurdles debut when 15-and-a-half lengths fourth to the JCB Triumph Hurdle favourite Saintsaire at Newbury. Entitled to improve for the benefit of that run, the son of Darshaan should take some beating. Martin Pipe's runners in this company always warrant respect but his representative here Ivorsagoodun is a 50-rated maiden on the level and makes limited appeal. A bigger danger may prove to be Alan King's Navale who was unexposed flat horse when with John Gosden and a respectable third to Prince Dimitri on his hurdles debut at Warwick last month. The Venetia Williams-trained Researcher was good enough to win a handicap at Beverley in the spring and has been lightly raced since. She may have need the run after seven months off when making her debut over timber at Fakenham when sixth behind Almnadia but the daughter of Cosmonaut is still likely to find at least one too good. El Pedro, a rare runner over hurdles for trainer Mick Channon, is another worthy of a mention but he is held by the selection on running behind Saintsaire and is difficult to fancy. The others make very limited appeal.