led, headed 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on well flat
tracked leader, slipped on bend approaching 3 out, led next, clear flat, eased heavily towards finish, just held on
tracked leaders in rear, keen, ridden approaching 2 out, stumbled last, stayed on close home, flatted
Sue Smith does extremely well on her visits to Haydock Park and the Yorkshire-based trainer looks to have another primed for a successful trip to Merseyside with the lightly raced Rival Bidder, who is preferred on this occasion to Atticus Finch and Pollensa Bay. The Richard Guest-trained Donovan is dangerous to rule out completely but he looks to have a little to prove and is best watched on this occasion. In contrast to Rival Bidder, who stamped himself as a horse to follow when chasing home useful hurdles recruit Valereaux at Hexham at the start of this month. The selection was having only his second start over timber on that occasion but still left a pleasing impression despite being done for toe near the finnish. Today's opposition lack an obvious rival with a sound turn of foot, so Rival Bidder looks to have been found a good opportunity to shine - possibly at the main expense of Pollensa Bay, who tackles an obstacle for the first time in public today.
