made all, shaken up and went clear before last, stayed on well
chased winner until 4th, not fluent 7th, soon went 2nd again, pushed along after 3 out, driven and no impression before last
held up, took keen hold, in touch from 2nd, mistake 6th, weakened before 2 out
held up, took keen hold, closed 2nd, chased winner 4th until after 7th, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, lost place before 5th, not fluent next, weakened before 3 out
held up in rear, in touch 2nd, outpaced after 7th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
GLOBAL STAGE looked to have little chance in the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown earlier this month but was far from disgraced. On that evidence, an ordinary novice hurdle should be well within his compass and he’s likely to be a short-priced favourite today. Ballyarthur has been well backed the last twice in handicaps but was beaten when falling at Ascot last month and has become expensive to follow. However, he still rates a bigger danger than the ex-Irish Wood Pigeon and Flat convert Daring Knight.
Ballyarthur (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Held up in last pair, steady headway on outside going well before 2 out, one pace when hung right between last two, ridden in 4th and no impression when fell last, at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Global Stage 25-1 (11-7) Held up in 5th, pushed along in 4th approaching 2 out, no impression when hit last, 4th of 6, 10l behind Finian's Oscar (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Midnight Merlot 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened over 3f out, 4th of 6, 26 1/4l behind De Dollar Man (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m (5) hvy in Dec.
Smoking Dixie (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, some headway before 3 out, no impression, weakened before next, 6th of 10, 28 1/4l behind Constantine Bay (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
Wood Pigeon (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, close up 4 out, disputed next, ridden in 3rd entering straight, under pressure in 7th 2 out, no impression in 5th last, kept on again run-in to 3rd close home, 3rd of 16, 3l behind Blazing Beacon (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
Daring Knight 16-1 (9-1) In rear, ridden 3f out, never a factor, 7th of 9, 13l behind Johnny B Goode (9-0) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (5) pol in Sep.