led after 1st, headed 2nd, prominent until weakened approach 5th, tailed off
keen, led until after 1st, in touch until lost place approaching 4th, soon beaten
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd and no chance with leaders when blundered last
not fluent 4th, always behind, no chance when mistake last
held up, headway approaching 5th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up and pulled hard, some headway after 3 out, never dangerous
prominent, went 2nd approaching 5th, led on bit after 2 out, easily
always prominent, led 3rd, ridden and headed after 2 out, soon no chance with winner
prominent, led 2nd until next, weakened 4th, mistake 5th, tailed off
took keen hold in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out
mid-division, lost touch 4th, last and well behind when jinked left and unseated rider 5th
In a race dominated by newcomers, the experience of Trouble At Bay is taken to stand him in good stead, with Crimson Dancer and Damarisco a couple to follow over hurdles this winter. Alan King also had Triumph Hurdle favourite Howle Hill entered for this, but instead relies on Trouble At Bay, described by his trainer as the most natural jumper of a hurdle that he has seen for a long time. Unfortunately that was not the case on his Kempton debut as he fluffed his lines in finishing fourth behind Chief Yeoman. King remains convinced that he is still a Cheltenham horse, and as this former useful middle-distance handicapper has schooled well since, he is given another chance to atone. Unless there is something special lurking amongst the opposition, he should really be the answer. Damarisco was a winner on the level in the French provinces, but may need softer ground, while Crimson Dancer who bagged four wins on the flat this year, is not guaranteed to stay over hurdles. The rest are a complete guessing game, and we have no hesitation in picking Trouble At Bay to keep up his trainer's impressive strike-rate at the track.
