prominent, ridden when blundered 3 out, weakened before next
held up in touch, headway to track leader after 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, hard pressed run-in, in command final 100 yards
mistake 1st, tracked leader, ridden from 5th, weakened and behind from next, tailed off 3 out
took keen hold and held up, mistake 4th, hard ridden to chase leaders approaching 3 out, 4th and beaten when blundered last
held up in touch, hit 2nd, effort approaching 2 out, soon outpaced and beaten
in touch, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, weakened under pressure next
held up in rear, well behind when mistake 3 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, took 3rd soon after last, no chance with leading pair
blundered and unseated rider 1st
A cracking looking renewal of this event with several Triumph Hurdle candidates in opposition including Trouble At Bay, Mondul and Web Perceptions but the vote goes to Moulin Riche. Francois Doumen's gelding looked unlucky on his British debut when running out at Sandown in the race won by Tusk and is taken to make the most of the weight that he receives from his main market rivals. Trouble At Bay has done little wrong since being switched to hurdles and has to be respected but may require a stiffer test of stamina than this track supplies to show his best form. Milton Harris claims that Mondul would be as short as 5/1 for the Triumph if he was handled by a bigger name and certainly there was little doubting the quality of his performance when beating Val du Don at Cheltenham last month. The German-bred strictly holds Zimbabwe on earlier form at Lingfield but Gary Moore's gelding, who was useful on the flat in Ireland, has improved since then. Web Perceptions looks to be the Harris second string and a bigger threat to the selection may come from one of Paul Nicholls three entries, of whom Chockdee, the chosen mount of Ruby Walsh, makes most appeal. However, Moulin Riche caught the eye at Sandown on his debut and is taken to make amends here.
