held up in touch, headway halfway, ridden 8th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
not fluent, held up in mid-division, headway halfway and in touch, pushed along 8th, ridden and outpaced 4 out, stayed on to chase winner approaching last, no chance
in touch, headway halfway to track leader, ridden 4 out, one pace from next
held up towards rear, fell 3rd
held up in touch, ridden and weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up before last
towards rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders, pushed along 7th, ridden next, soon weakened
towards rear, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway halfway, effort after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
in touch, ridden and weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up before last
mid-division, headway halfway, weakened 8th
towards rear, tailed off from halfway
tracked leaders, mistake 8th, led 4 out, mistake 3 out and 2 out, comfortably
in touch, pushed along 8th, ridden and weakened next
mid-division, blundered 5th, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
towards rear, brought down 3rd
towards rear, never dangerous
mid-division, pushed along and lost place 6th, soon lost touch
A cracking contest gets proceedings underway with many highly regarded sorts in opposition including Liberman, The Sister and My Line and the vote goes to Liberman. The gelding won the championship bumper at Cheltenham last year and although he was far from impressive on his hurdling debut at Mussleburg when defeating Reivers Moon. He is sure to have learnt from the experience and with the step up in trip and this more galloping track sure to suit he will be hard to beat despite top weight. The Sister rates the main danger she was a fair third behind Water Sports last time and will relish the ground but she has looked very one paced at the end of her races and is vunerable to a less exposed sort. My Line is also worthy of respect he was third behind Star Concel over course and distance last time out over course and distance but although he traveled well in the race he did not find as much as was expected off the bridle and he needs to improve again to score. World Vision is from a yard in form and was a fair third behind Intensity last time, he has definite place claims off what looks a fair mark. Of the remainder Algarve would have a chance on his best form but disappointed last time so can not be backed with any confidence. So for the winner we return to the unexposed Liberman.