held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden from last, kept on to lead close home, all out
led, headed after 2 out, blundered when weakening last
held up, headway 3 out in touch, blundered approaching last, led run in and headed close home
held up, ridden 3 out, in touch, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden to lead approaching last, soon headed and one paced
in touch, ridden and blundered 2 out, soon weakened
held up, in touch approaching 2 out, ridden and kept on run in
behind, weakened approaching 2 out
Some in-form rivals are set to come into opposition here and Laouen is only just preferred to Hirapour and Showpiece on the grounds of anticipated improvement. The five-year-old was faced with a stiff test when disappointing on his handicap debut in a Grade 3 contest at Haydock at the start of the month, but ran a better race than the finishing position would suggest and returns to a more realistic level today. He hails from a yard that does well at this time of the season and has enough natural ability to enable him to concede weight to all bar one of his rivals. Hirapour is on the crest of a wave at the moment and can be given a solid chance of landing the five-timer if his recent exertions have not taken their toll. However, he takes on much better opposition today and still has a little to prove. Showpiece is also a useful prospect but it may be prudent to watch the market for clues about his ability to cope with this trip. The unexposed Sun Bird is another to monitor in the betting - especially as Ruby Walsh has been booked for the ride.
