in touch, headway 3 out, chased winner from 2 out, not quicken under pressure flat, lost 2nd place last 50 yards
led to approaching 2 out, weakened quickly
behind, ridden along from 8th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
tracked leader, hit 3rd, under pressure next, not fluent 3 out, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well
close up, mistake 7th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat to take 2nd last 50 yards, no impression on winner
behind, weakened quickly approaching 2 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up in touch, blundered 9th, steady headway after 3 out, soon ridden and no extra before next
in rear, staying on one pace but no danger when mistake 2 out
An interesting opener with a number of in-form rivals in opposition none more so than Mithak who is handed the vote to complete a hat-trick. The Richard Phillips-trained gelding has proved most effective over this trip with plenty of cut in the ground and still appears on a fair mark despite a 6lb rise for his latest victory at Ludlow which he appeared to win with a little in hand. Hell-Of-A-Shindy has been in excellent heart over fences of late and returns to hurdling on a favourable mark so must be respected while Beyond Control is another to consider. Colin Tizzard's charge had lost his way over the larger obstacles but trounced a field of selling platers at Folkestone last time and will have no difficulty with either trip or ground. Lords Best was outclassed last time but had previously notched back-to-back wins in decent novice company here and at Wincanton so shouldn't be discounted despite top weight.
