(first and seventh fence omitted in this race) mid-division, ridden and some headway 5th, weakened 2 out
prominent, took closer order 4th to join leaders, ridden 6th, weakened 2 out
held up mid-division, headway and every chance 2 out, ridden, hampered and switched right last, kept on flat
led, headed 5th, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, slow jump 1st, ridden and weakened 5th, pulled up before 3 out
held up, very keen in rear, headway 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, pulled up before last
tailed off when unseated rider 3 out
prominent, led 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, carried left last, ridden to lead flat, all out
in touch, headway to join leaders 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, mistake and jumped left last, weakened
prominent, ridden and weakened 2 out
prominent, weakened 5th, tailed off, pulled up after 3 out
towards rear, headway 4th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden and heaway after 3 out, weakened next
tailed off, pulled up after 5th
tracked leaders and keen, ridden and weakened 3 out
In an interesting seller, we like the look of Fruit Defendu ahead of Magical Day, Brooksie, Mowbray, and Pierre du Forez. The selection is interesting in that he is a three-time winner in Ireland in 2000/2001. Now with Paul Nicholls, Ruby Walsh has been booked for the ride and, particularly if the market speaks in his favour, could well be the one to be on. Magical Day is a course and distance winner from a mark of 90, so that brings him firmly into the reckoning, while a return to the level of form that saw Brooksie win twice during the summer of 2002, would give him very solid claims. The market should also be watched with regard to the Gary Moore-trained Mowbray, winner of a maiden hurdle at Fontwell when last seen 452 days ago. Pierre du Forez won a French claimer on the Flat before joining Martin Pipe and is another to add to the list of possible. Of the others, River Bann ran well in a similar event at Ludlow last month. The Cockney Kid has also had training problems after once looking fairly promising over hurdles, and, now with Nigel Twiston-Davies, a cursory glance at the betting market is advised. Goodtimelady won twice over hurdles just short of three years ago but, on balance, others are preferred. These look to be the principals and, of them all, we'll opt for Fruit Defendu.
