mid-division, ridden and headway 3 out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, ridden and every chance when blundered 2 out, kept on
always behind, tailed off when pulled before 4 out
mid-divisin, headway 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on one pace
always towards rear, hampered 4 out, soon tailed off
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on flat
in touch, headway 5th, led last, easily
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon one pace
led, clear to 4th, ridden and headed last, stayed on flat
held up, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened from next
towards rear, some headway 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-divison, ridden after 5th, weakened from next
mid-division, ridden after 5th, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
French Flat race winner Epitre showed very little sign of encouragement on his British jumps debut over course and distance and, while there is probably improvement to come, he is best left alone. Richard Lee's Mythical King carries a penalty for his win at Uttoxeter in December and lost no caste in defeat behind Demi Beau at Doncaster last month. He should be thereabouts, as should course bumper winner Cumbrian Knight. Malcolm Jefferson's gelding ran creditably on his hurdling debut at Ayr last time and should have learned from the experience, as should Hey Ref from Jonjo O'Neill's stable. A winner in bumper company at Carlisle in October, the son of King's Ride was a fair fourth behind Black Forest in a brush style hurdles race here after a three month lay-off recently. The Richard Phillips-trained Greenfield, a respectable third to high class recruit Double Honour on his hurdles debut, and the Venetia Williams-trained Fair Question, another good flat recruit who disappointed behind Thisthatandtother first time out, are others worthy of a mention but it is another useful Flat race performer who gets the vote. Maniatis was a useful middle distance horse for Paul Cole and looks the type to make the grade over hurdles. Now trained by Micky Hammond, who has a good record at the track, he might be worth chancing on his first start over timber.
