tracked leader to 3f out, hard ridden and weakened over 1f out
restrained in rear, well behind final 2f
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
chased leaders, outpaced when not clear run over 1f out, ran on under pressure inside final furlong
held up in rear, not clear run over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3f out, carried head awkwardly over 2f out, upsides and every chance 1f out, not quicken towards finish
in touch, pushed along 3f out, headway on inside over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
held up in rear, pushed along and no impression over 3f out
settled towards rear, steady headway and in touch halfway, tracked leading pair 2f out, quicken to lead well inside final furlong, cleverly
set steady pace, quickened 4f out, shaken up entering final furlong, edged right, not pace of winner and headed well inside final furlong
in touch, ridden 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f
mid-division, behind final 2f
With the Hobbs yard going so well over the jumps Salute is the one that catches the eye here and he can beat Cordial and The Violin Player. When this powerful national hunt yard cross the racing border it is always worth taking note and Salute did go very close last time in a very competitive event. He finished an excellent fourth behind Cold Turkey in what looked a stronger race than this and he should be capable of taking first prize here. Cordial gained a deserved victory here last time, beating Kew Green by a neck. That was over the ten furlong trip but he has performed with credit over this distance in the past and should be capable of reaching the frame at least. The Violin Player also hit a winning note last time, easily accounting for Amwell Brave and he will be difficult to keep out of the frame. Gary Moore's Mad Carew may do best of the rest, but on this occasion Salute gets the verdict
