held up, lost touch and mistake 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
with leader, mistake and lost place 4th, weakened 13th, poor 4th when pulled up before last
tracked leader from 4th, led 3 out, left clear last, ridden out
behind from 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway 7th, weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led to 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before next
tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, ridden to chase winner approaching next, one length down when stumbled last, not recover
Some nice sorts in this including Best Mate's brother Inca Trail, who will be much more at home over this trip having found two-miles around here too sharp for him earlier this month. He, along with Bal De Nuit will ensure Lord Sam doesn't have things all his own way, but the latter has always looked the sort to make a better chaser than he was over hurdles and if that is the case he looks sure to take high rank amongst this seasons novices. Victor Dartnell's gelding has tasted defeat only once in six outings and there was certainly no disgrace in finishing behind the likes of Hardy Eustace and Pizarro in the Royal & Sun Alliance at the Festival. Not always the most fluent of hurdlers, he has the size and scope to make a much better chaser and he can prove too strong for Bal De Nuit, who is getting a healthy weight for age allowance. Paul Nicholls' youngster, a winner of two of his three starts over timber in this country, has already jumped fences in France as a three-year-old, finishing in the frame twice. Quite a tall gelding he will certainly be more at home over the larger obstacles and whatever his fate today, he will pay his way this season. Inca Trail has something to live up to and while he will win his fair share over fences, he faces a stiff task against a couple of above average types. The rest will need to start just after the first race if they are to be involved in the finish, so it is Lord Sam to lead home Bal De Nuit and Inca Trail.
