always behind, never dangerous after 10th, soon tailed off
tracked leader, led 13th, hard pressed before 2 out, stayed on well
held up, blundered 12th, chased winner 15th, every chance 2 out, no extra approaching last
tracked leaders, weakened 11th, soon tailed off
held up behind, blundered and unseated rider 9th
held up, lost touch after 12th, pulled up before 3 out
led to 13th, stayed prominent, weakened 4 out, soon tailed off
held up mid-division, hit 14th, chased leaders and every chance 2 out, one pace before last
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 10th, mistake 14th, effort 2 out, soon one pace, weakened before last
With mental doubts concerning both Eric's Charm and Katiki this may be best left to Vivid Imagination, who looks the safest proposition. The selection was placed in point-to-points in his native Ireland and has been given plenty of time since joining Martin Pipe since making an encouraging start for new connections when fourth behind the useful Xellance on his only start over timber last August. The lack of a run since then is of little concern given the stable's effectiveness at readying a horse first time out. The son of Moonax is sure to have been well schooled and is taken to make a winning debut over the larger obstacles. Eric's Charm was probably the best of these over hurdles but took a crashing fall on his chasing debut and that may have left its mark, while Guillaume Macaire's Katiki has twice refused to race in his last four starts and can hardly be backed with confidence. If the seven-year-old does consent to race then he has to be respected on the strength of the pick of his form but that is far from likely. Alan King's Lantaur Lad has not been seen since March 2002 and is probably best left out of calculations, while the useful hurdler Hirvine has looked far from happy over the larger obstacles and is best left alone until he shows some kind of aptitude over them. Too Forward is probably the best of the remainder but may well bounce and the safest option looks to be Vivid Imagination.
