keen, prominent, ridden and every chance 3 out, one pace from next
prominent, jumped slow 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, lost place 4th, headway next, ridden and weakened after 3 out
mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and soon no impression, mistake last
in touch, ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up, beaten when fell 3 out
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace
held up, always in rear
keen, held up, headway 3 out, soon one pace
tracked leaders, led soon after 3 out, ran on comfortable
led, saddle soon slipped, headed soon after 3 out, every chance when soon pulled up
held up in rear, headway approaching last, stayed on flat, nearest finish
Critical Stage, Penzance and Space Cowboy look the three to concentrate on in a competitive race and the confident vote is given to Penzance. Penzance won well on his hurdling debut and has been reportedly backed by his trainer Alan King to win the triumph hurdle. He is clearly quite useful and if he is to fulfil the expectations of his trainer then he will have to take this contest before moving on to better things. Critical Stage will give him the most to do as he won well last time when defeating Say What You See and this progressive 6-year-old is capable of making a race of this with conditions to suit and a useful claimer taking 5lbs off his back. Space Cowboy is a consistent sort and he will be suited by the slight drop in trip, but he has had plenty of chances and he may have to once again settle for place money. Talldark¿n¿andsome will be suited by this faster surface after struggling on the soft ground when well-beaten at Plumpton last time, so he is another to consider, but for the winner we return to Penzance.
