in mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd and mistake last, kept on flat, no chance with winner
close up, chased winner approaching 2 out until 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
in rear division, well behind when mistake last
always behind, mistake 5th, tailed off before next
blundered 1st, in mid-division, effort after 3 out, stayed on under pressure flat
chased leaders until weakened under pressure before 2 out
always behind, tailed off before 3 out
took keen hold, mistake 1st, held up in touch, headway after 3 out, chased winner and mistake last, weakened flat
in touch until weakened after 3 out
soon tracked leader, led 3 out, mistake next, clear when hit last, driven out
mistake 3rd and 5th, always towards rear
prominent, pushed along from 4th, 7th and weakening when fell 2 out
in mid-division, mistake 2nd, weakened 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
led to 3 out, stayed chasing winner until weakened before 2 out
The ex-German After Eight sets the standard here but the Milton Harris-trained colt disappointed at Cheltenham last time and may be vulnerable here under a penalty so we take a chance with hurdling newcomer Tusk, who gets the verdict over Maharbal. The selection was a winner of a 1m2f handicap at Newmarket off a mark of 85 when last seen on the flat with Mick Channon and looks the type to do well over hurdles. Sure to have been well schooled by Henrietta Knight, he would not need to be anything out of the ordinary to take this on his first start over hurdles. Maharbal, a non-thoroughbred formerly trained in France, made a winning start for Nicky Henderson when landing a similar contest at Newbury earlier in the month but, along with After Eight, faces no easy task under his penalty. Late Claim had some decent form on the flat with Barry Hills and, along with bumper winner Oscars Vision, is another worthy of a mention. Francois Doumen has a good record here so Tarque has to be respected, as does Noel Chance's Lord of Beauty, who is probably better than he showed first time out but we are happy to side with Tusk.