made all, hit 7th, ridden and stayed on flat
tracked winner until 2 out, ridden and soon weakened
keen early, held up in last place, not far away, ridden to chase winner when hit 2 out, no impression flat
THE BIG ORSE's fourth to Kangaroo Court reads well and Pat Phelan's gelding gets the vote ahead of proven winner Balthazar King. The selection has only had two starts over hurdles but both have been in good races and there have been a degree of promise in each. His bumper win at Newbury in 2007 shows that he does know how to win and with Timmy Murphy an eye-catching jockey booking, the partnership look worth siding with. Astral Boy makes his hurdling bow this afternoon but he needs to improve significantly on his bumper runs, whilst Torta Nel Cielo is a similar story; watch the market for further clues to both. The market leader looks sure to be Balthazar King who won nicely at Ffos Las earlier this month. Before then he had been a bit of a forecast link, finishing second on three of his previous four starts, however he might be a different proposition now he's got his head in front. Not a strong race by any means, and the vote goes to The Big Orse.
Balthazar King (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Held up, headway 5th, went 2nd before 3 out, led approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f NH mdn hdl (4) gd beating Comehomequietly (10-7) by 2l, 11 ran.
Astral Boy (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, raced keenly, ridden and lost 2nd over 2f out, soon beaten, 4th of 11, 10l behind Secure My Position (11-0) at Worcester 2m NH flat (5) gd in Sep.
The Big Orse 20-1 (11-1) In touch and keen, mistake 6th, kept on one pace, 4th of 15, 10l behind Kangaroo Court (11-4) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Torta Nel Cielo 50-1 (11-1) Held up, chased leaders halfway, led 7f out, headed 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 15, 23l behind Jubilee Queen (10-8) at Bangor 2m 1f cond & am NH flat (5) gs in Feb.
