held up, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden to lead approaching last, ridden clear
chased leaders, weakened 4 out
always towards rear
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up
behind, headway approaching 3 out, one pace from next
led, headed after 3 out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, led after 3 out, soon ridden headed approaching last, weakened flat
chased leaders, weakened from 2 out
behind, riddeen 3 out, headway next, one pace, no impression
towards rear, weakened approaching 4 out
held up, headway 6th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
chased leader until weakend approaching 2 out
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, led after 3 out, headed after 2 out, kept on to go 2nd , no chance with winner
chased leader, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
A competitive line-up for this novices' hurdle but it is hard to get away from Over The Creek, who gets our vote ahead of Turtle Soup, Dictum and Tik-A-Tai. Having landed a huge gamble at Cheltenham in November, the Martin Pipe-trained selection then followed up in good style at Aintree. Much as he now races off a 14lb-higher mark, he should still be improving and can put up another bold show. Tik-A-Tai races off a ten-pounds higher mark than when scoring at Doncaster in January and it would be no surprise to see him go well over a trip that seems to suit, although Turtle Soup is weighted to get the better of him based on Warwick form of a year ago and any further rain would certainly help his chances. Palarshan has plenty of ability but will probably need the run, but Dictum comes here on the back of a good third behind Rigmarole at Kempton and he looks set to run well. Cloudy Grey is very well-regarded but might need the run, while Eternal Spring was high-class two years ago but has had his injury problems. Le Duc won a Grade 3 event at Aintree in April 2003 but has been a bit in-and-out since over hurdles and fences, while those above Eternal Spring in the weights look vulnerable to something lower down, and chief among these is Over The Creek, who gets our vote in this contest.
