held up, ridden after 5th, headway 2 out, stayed on flat, never near leaders
always prominent, led 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra flat
chased leader until approaching 3 out, weakened before next
held up, not fluent 2nd, pushed along from 5th, headway approaching 2 out, hard ridden to challenge after last, led and driven clear near finish
led until 3 out, weakened approaching next
held up in rear, reminders approaching 6th, soon struggling
held up in rear, headway 3 out, no impression when not fluent 2 out
held up, headway 6th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up in touch, headway on outside approaching 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, led approaching last, headed and no extra near finish
in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out
Robbie Can Can is taken to prevail, with Il'Athou, Welcome To Unos and Christopher others worth a mention. Robbie Can Can gained only his second success on the flat when scoring at Brighton in October but shaped really well on his debut over hurdles here just over three weeks ago. He may have been slightly flattered in finishing within half a length of the odds-on Minster Glory but he should improve, and the extra trip may well be in his favour here. He gets a bit of weight off Il'athou who was pulled up on his return to the fray in a decent handicap chase at Newbury. Simon Sherwood's seven-year-old will be having his first outing over hurdles since 2001 and will no doubt go back over the bigger obstacles soon. Welcome To Unos won like a good thing at Stratford but has struggled since going up the weights and may do so here. Christopher tried to force the pace but failed at Cheltenham on his first run back, and more restraining tactics may see him figure. Although it will not do to get too heavily involved, Robbie Can Can should give you a run for your money.
