pulled hard, held up, headway to track leaders 6th, not fluent next, ridden and hit 2 out, ridden and beaten when left poor 2nd last, lost 2nd flat
made all, blundered 4 out, in command from 2 out, left well clear last
tracked leading pair, chased winner 4th, hit 2 out, no chance with winner when sprawled badly on landing and fell last
chased winner to 4th, remained in 3rd, ridden and lost touch 8th, left poor 3rd last, kept on into 2nd flat
blundered badly 1st, not fluent after, always in rear, tailed off 8th
Double Hit looks the most promising of these but this promises to be a speed test and that may not suit this winning hurdler and so we narrowly prefer PRINCESS FLAME to beat that one and Sagarich. The selection likes to bowl along in front and could take some pegging back if allowed to do so as was the case when taking second over hurdles last time. That effort prompted the handicapper to put the horse up to a rating of 112 which matches that of Double Hit and with the conditions looking set to be relatively quick we fancy that Brendan Powell's gelding may be able to burn these off from the front. Double Hit earned a rating of 112 over the smaller obstacles after winning a three mile novice event at Bangor in the spring. A pipe opener at Cheltenham earlier this month should've put Donald McCain's horse spot on for this contest but she looks a thorough stayer and today's conditions may not bring out the best in the five-year-old who at least has time on her side. Sagarich has had a busy time of things this year having mixed hurdles with Flat exploits but showed no signs of fatigue when taking second in a handicap hurdle at Fakenham last time. That effort does leave the mare with something to find but that is entirely possible and this one should at least be at home at minimum trip. In a race where all five have some sort of chance Campanile is rated next best, the Irish import having her first start for connections here and looking like fences should bring out the best in her. In a race where plenty have chances we'll take Princess Flame to make the perfect start to her chase career.
Campanile 14-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, 16th of 18, well behind Tenormore (11-4) at Listowel 2m hcp hdl 80-102 gd in Sep.
Double Hit 16-1 (11-1) Towards rear, headway after 4th, blundered 3 out, weakened 2 out, 18th of 24, well behind Lord Ragnar (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (3) gs.
Orana Conti (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Behind, mistake 7th, pulled up 15th, in a race won by Ballygulleen (10-10) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct, 8 ran.
Princess Flame (GER) 12-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 2 out, pushed clear well before last, looked likely winner until headed and outpaced final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Lindy Lou (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs.
Sagarich (FR) 11-1 (11-1) Led, hit 3 out, soon ridden, headed approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Doctor Robert (11-7) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Oct.
