led 2nd, mistake 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, weakened flat
close up until ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
in touch until weakened approaching 7th, tailed off
held up, behind when mistake 2 out, tailed off
held up in rear, good headway after 2 out, challenging when hit last, stayed on under pressure to lead final 50 yards, finished lame
held up, ridden and headway after 2 out, led and mistake last, headed and not quicken final 50 yards
led to 2nd, stayed prominent, ridden and every chance approaching last, not quicken flat
in touch until ridden and weakened after 3 out
chased leader, every chance when mistake 2 out, weakened quickly approaching last
held up, mistake 6th, headway and hard driven after 2 out, beaten approaching last
mistakes, prominent until mistake and lost place 5th, behind when pulled up before 9th
Noel Chance's Murphy's Cardinal did not beat much when winning a bumper here last month and looks opposable on his hurdling debut. Paul Nicholls introduces a newcomer, Comanche War Paint, who looks to be pitched in at a fairly high level for his rules debut, while conversely Josh Gifford's Stand Aside has had plenty of chances and tends to find at least one too good. A similar comment applies to Lanmire Leader, who reverts to hurdles after two runs over the larger obstacles previously this winter. Atlastaboy from Tom George's in-form stable ran well, but was probably, flattered behind Ingenu at Haydock on his most recent appearance and has solid claims but the TEAMtalk selection is Nicky Henderson's Slooghy. The French import ran much better at Newbury when third behind Saitensohn than he had done on his only previous start in this country at Kempton last term and granted further improvement he should be too good for his rivals here.
