tracked leaders, hit 6th, ridden 9th and soon weakened
mid-division, blundered 3 out, soon ridden and weakened from next
soon led, ridden and headed after 2 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, headway 3 out, led on bit after 2 out, ridden approaching last, ran on well
always mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out
held up, headway 9th to mid-division, smooth headway approaching 2 out to chase leaders, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 9th, ridden and lost place from next, soon beaten
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on approaching last, no chance with winner
towards rear when blundered and fell 7th
mid-division, ridden approaching 9th, weakened after next
prominent, soon tracked leaders, weakened after 8th, behind and pulled up before next
tracked leaders, weakened and reminders after 8th, behind when pulled up before last
always towards rear, weakened and lost touch from 2 out, pulled up before last
This race is not as competitive as the numbers would suggest and the principles look to be Royal Rosa, Case of Poteen and Kelly Pride, but we give the confident vote to Royal Rosa. The gelding from the all-conquering Howard Johnson yard won the group 1 national hunt flat race at Punchestown in good style when defeating Royal Alphabet. He is sure to have been well schooled for this his hurdling debut and looks the one to beat. Case of Poteen has definite place claims on his best form as he goes well fresh but he still remains a maiden after 21 attempts and will need to improve out of all recognition to beat the selection. Kelly Pride is another that has place claims and this 6-year-old from the bang in-form Sue Smith yard has some solid placed form but is another that has something to find with our selection. Of the remainder, Just For Fun is one of the least exposed in the field and is worth noting in the market, but nothing can dampen the confidence of the selection Royal Rosa.
