tracked leader, hampered 3 out, ridden to challenge after 2 out, left in lead last, soon headed, kept on
led, headed after 6th, left in lead 3 out, ridden and challenged when fell last
held up towards rear, struggling and lost place from halfway, no danger soon after
held up in touch, mistake 4 out, steady headway 2 out, led flat, pushed out
held up towards rear, headway when slightly hampered 3 out, ridden and effort between last 2, kept on same pace flat
held up towards rear, blundered 4 out, soon lost touch
raced keenly, tracked leaders, headway 5th, led next, two lengths clear when fell 3 out
held up towards rear, mistake 6th and next, soon weakened, behind when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
Pertino produced a pleasing, if not foot-perfect, display at Southwell to record his second victory over the chase fences. Last week proved to be little more than a hack canter for Malcolm Jefferson's inmate but he will need to maintain his concentration to win this. He is given as the TEAMtalk selection here. Pertino is the obvious danger. A smart hurdler and sometime flat performer, if he takes to bigger obstacles - he could be anything. On the negative side, his stable are in wretched form at the moment and that has to be a major worry. There will be no fitness excuses for River Captain after two spins (albeit unsuccessfully) over the hurdles. Route Sixty Six makes a debut over the larger obstacles after a summer on the flat. Her best form does seem to be when the ground is sticky and it is unlikely that she'll get it here.
