mid-division, headway before 2 out, soon ridden to challenge, hit last, stayed on under pressure to lead last strides
tracked leaders, pulled hard, effort 3 out, weakened approaching last
always behind
tracked leader, led 5th, strongly challenged from 2 out, headed and no extra towards finish
led until 5th, lost place before 3 out
in touch, lost place 3 out
held up towards rear, under pressure 3 out, never on terms
mid-division, headway 5th, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened approaching last
This valuable prize has attracted three horses with Triumph Hurdle entries, Songe, The Grey Berry and Norman The Great, and the winner should come from that triumvirate. We'll side with Norman The Great. Ex-French Flat horses Quilver Tatou and Immense are interesting newcomers who aren't dismissed whilst Light Yield and Chord have already shown a decent level of form. The latter finished three and a half lengths behind Songe at Doncaster last time off levels so is weighted to reverse the form but, as it was the winner's first run since November and his first for the yard, isn't certain to do so. The Grey Berry didn't have anything to beat on his hurdling debut and that win told us little about this 340,000 guineas purchase except that he can jump. He clearly has the potential but Norman The Great achieved more when battling on gamely to take second behind the easy winner and leading Triumph Hurdle fancy, Binocular, at Ascot and, as a result, we'll take a chance that he can put these rivals to the sword.
Songe (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Keen early, held up mid-division, headway 3 out, challenged next, led before last, ridden and edged right flat, kept on, won at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs in Jan beating Chord (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 18 ran.
Light Yield (USA) 12-1 (11-4) Track leader, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, headed well before last, soon held by winner, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 14, 16l behind Celestial Halo (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
The Grey Berry 1-4fav (10-7) Held up inrear, smooth headway 3 out, led between last 2, kept on well, won at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Jan beating Pentasilea (10-11) by 3l, 7 ran.
Chord 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led 3 out, ridden and headed before last, no extra flat, 2nd of 18, 3 1/2l behind Songe (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Heroes 7-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden 3 out, soon faded, 7th of 14, 44l behind Hibiki (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Immense (IRE) (9-0) Always in touch on outside, driven early straight, took 3rd close home, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Darsha (8-10) at Deauville 1m 7f stk gs in Jul (Flat).
Morning Farewell 15-2 (10-12) Mid-division, closer order 5th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, one pace last, 4th of 12, 13l behind Sweetheart (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Norman The Great 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden to challenge next, outpaced approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure but no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Binocular (10-12) at Ascot 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Quilver Tatou (FR) (10-1) led to over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 14, 6l behind Qocq Corricco (10-1) at nantes 1m4f non-thoroughbreds gd-sft in Sept.
