held up in touch, headway to lead 3 out, ridden out
mid-division, headway and in touch 5th, close up 3 out, effort approaching last, one pace flat
blundered and unseated rider 1st
in touch, headway 3 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden and no extra
towards rear, outpaced after 3 out, kept on one pace appraoching last
tracked leaders, reminders 7th, soon weakened
towards rear, some headway 3 out, weakened 2 out
hampered 1st, mid-division, some headway after 3 out, weakened next
towards rear, never dangerous
led, blundered and unseated rider 5th
tracked leaders, left in lead 5th, mistake 7th, headed 3 out, slightly outpaced next, stayed on same pace flat
There appears to be a fair bit more to come from Green Ideal, who is selected in preference to Encore Cadoudal and Alam, who make the most appeal out of the rest at this stage. The latter has always looked a chaser in the making and will no doubt pick up a race like this somewhere in the north before too long. However, he was no great shakes over hurdles and is expected to benefit from the experience this afternoon. Encore Cadoudal is still quite lightly raced for a six-year-old and is another that can be expected to pay his way this season. However, he too has to a little to prove regarding his aptitude for fences and it would be guessing to forward his claims in the absence of a betting guide. Therefore, Green Ideal looks the safest option, as he has at least got experience of fences to draw from and, with his stable absolutely flying at the moment, there are plenty of reasons to expect a bold bid from this improving gelding today.