never fluent, tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, ridden and weakened after 3 out, blundered and unseated rider last
tracked leaders and keen, hit 2nd, behind from 6th, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, headway to chase leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on well to lead after last, ridden out
always towars rear, tailed off and pulled up before last
held up rear, hit 2nd, lost touch from 6th, tailed off
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, jumped left last, kept on same pace
led, hit 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on but no extra when headed flat
prominent until 4th, in touch until weakened after 3 out
never better than mid-division, tailed off from 6th
behind from 5th, tailed off
An interesting novices' hurdle to start the day's proceedings with the line up including French import Tonic Du Charmil and the ex-Polish Deo Gratias but the vote goes to Peppershot, who takes a drop in class. A maiden on the flat, the son of Vettori has shown respectable form in decent company over timber including when behind Tusk and Made in Japan in races at Sandown in February. Never in contention at Ascot subsequently, the four-year-old has been given a break since and, with this representing a drop in class, he looks worth a bet. Deo Gratias a dual winner on the level in Poland has to be respected on his first start over hurdles but a bigger threat may come from Tonic du Charmil. Martin Pipe's recruit has the benefit of experience over timber, having been placed over hurdles in France, but he has not been with his current connections for long and may benefit from a little more time. Gary Moore's Dolzago warrants respect on the pick of his flat form but is held by the selection on running at Folkestone on his only previous start over hurdles. Winning flat plater Canatrice and Spectacular Hope, from the in-form stable of Seamus Mullins, are others worthy of a mention but the vote goes to Peppershot.
