held up and keen, jumped left 4th, headway next, led approaching 4 out, hit 2 out, driven out
in touch, mistake and unseated rider 2nd
tracked leaders, blundered and lost place 5th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
in touch, ridden after 15th, soon weakened
led to 4 out, outpaced 3 out, stayed on flat
in touch, mistake 1st, headway 3rd, mistake and lost place 11th, weakened 14th
prominent, ridden after 15th, one pace from 4 out
held up, mistake 7th, headway 13th, mistake 14th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
Inca Trail has been found a suitable opportunity to give weight away here and can do so at the expense of Mamideos, Lodestar and Meggie's Lad to name but three. Quite frankly, the tag of being Best Mate's full-brother has leaned heavily on Inca Trail since he came over from Ireland, and while with Henrietta Knight he failed to shine in top company. Eighth in the 2003 Supreme Novices' Hurdle, he was well beaten in the Coral Cup at this year's Festival, and is now with Paul Nicholls who has wasted no time in putting him over fences. Judged on his two efforts so far, he needs a trip, and he was certainly a bit unlucky when the rider lost his irons briefly at Wincanton last time. In the end he finished second to Northern Deal, and on the back of that promising performance, can go one better. Meggie's Lad has it to do on the Wincanton form, but Mamideos needed the run when pulled up on his return at Market Rasen, and has had more experience than the selection over fences so can improve a bit here. Lodestar beat Ollie Magern over hurdles last year, and has shaped well on a few outings over fences, so is worth a second look as well, but it is time for Inca Trail to start repaying his tall reputation and he should really beat this lot.
