Archduke Ferdinand has not won a race since landing the 2001 Northumberland Plate and has given little sign of encouragement in two starts over hurdles so a safer bet looks to be Flying Fuselier, who is preferred to Elegant Eskimo. The last mentioned, a point-to-point winner, is likely to come into her own once switched to the larger obstacles but showed promise on her hurdling debut at Towcester last month and should improve for the run. Bumper winner Tickers Way has not been performing with any great zest on the flat this summer and is best watched first time over hurdles, while Ellandshe was highly tried behind the useful Oscar Park at Uttoxeter last time and may do better in this lesser company. The vote though goes to Flying Fuselier, who was probably flattered by his proximity to Refinement at Uttoxeter and probably had too much use made of him when beaten behind the useful Nippy Des Mottes at Exeter subsequently. This represents an easier task for the Philip Hobbs-trained gelding, who looks to have been found a suitable opportunity.
