led, ridden when headed and blundered 3 out, rallied and kept on flat
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
prominent to 6th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden 6th, weakened next, behind when pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway 5th, ridden 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, headway 6th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, weakened flat
mistake 3rd, always behind
in touch, ridden and lost place after 4th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, ridden 6th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 3 out
tailed off 5th, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, ridden 6th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, led 3 out, clear last, easily
mid-division, ridden 6th, soon weakened
A competitive finale to the Red Square Vodka 'Fixed Brush' Novices' Hurdle series, with plenty of the 14 runners in this handicap having claims. Topweight Simply Supreme has shown progressive form since switched to hurdles this season, winning all three starts including two over these hurdles and has to be respected despite the burden of 11st 12lb. Stablemate Black Frost, who is also owned by Trevor Hemmings, is another with winning form over these unique hurdles but looks the second string of the pair. Tim Easterby's Silver Knight disappointed behind Tees Components last time but on earlier form is worthy of consideration although he looks more like a staying chaser and his future will surely be over the larger obstacles. The ex-French Ingenu should be at home over the "French style" timber and has run consistently well since joining Robert Alner including over course and distance on his last two starts. Mary Reveley saddles two, Malek and Commanche Quest, with preference for the former who is another winner of a race in this series. Kim Bailey's Longshanks has claims of his light weight but the selection is Jonjo O'Neill's Last Theatre. The son of King's Theatre was a useful middle distance performer on the flat in Ireland but has taken time to find his way since switched to hurdling. However, the five-year-old showed improved form on his most recent start when a staying on third behind Nicky Henderson's Caracciola at Newbury. With further improvement to come, he looks the one to be on under 11st 2lb.
