held up, mistake 5th, headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, ridden to lead briefly approaching last, every chance until no extra towards finish
held up in touch, headway 3 out, led after 2 out, headed briefly approaching last, driven out
held up in rear, headway after 3 out, ridden and one pace next
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, led 3 out, headed after next, soon weakened
raced keen, soon tracking leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
tracked leaders, close up 3 out, ridden 2 out, soon weakened
led, reminder 6th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened quickly before next, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden and kept on one pace
A small but competitive field goes to post for this handicap hurdle and we will take a chance on Ichi Beau. The gelding from the Ferdy Murphy hard has been in fair form without winning of late but he is still well in compared to his chase rating and he will not be far away with conditions in his favour. Monsieur Poirot rates the main danger on his latest third behind Brave Lord and a reproduction of that effort would see him go close. Emperor Ross has also been in fair form of late over fences and he is another that is on a handy mark back over fences. Red Tyrant is from the bang in form Richard Guest yard and is worth a cautionary look in the market. Of the remainder Old Nosey was a good second behind Kivitos last time and is still at the right end of the handicap to make his presence felt.
