led at good pace, ridden after 3 out, slight advantage when mistake, saddle slipped, unseated rider next
soon outpaced in rear, well behind from 6th, went poor second approaching last
chased leaders, hampered 2nd, ridden after 5th, weakened next
soon outpaced in rear, tailed off from 5th, pulled up before next
jumped left throughout, chased leader, pecked badly 6th, ridden and every chance when jumped left and left well clear 2 out, unchallenged
soon outpaced in rear, tailed off from 6th
in touch until 6th, left poor second approaching 2 out, weakened
Flying Spirit looks to be different class to his rivals here and should justify likely short odds at the main expense of Dusty Too, who looks the best bet for the forecast. The selection made a winning return to hurdling when running out a cosy winner of a similar contest over course and distance last month. Although beaten when odds on at Hereford last time, the four-year-old should still be too good for his rivals here and is taken to gain compensation for that defeat. Dual bumper winner Dusty Too was well beaten on her hurdling debut behind the useful Calling Brave at Newbury in December and may be capable of better than she showed there. The remainder look a distinctly moderate bunch by comparison and are hardly worthy of a mention in a race that Flying Spirit should take with the minimum of fuss.
