held up, weakened 4 out, tailed off
led until mistake and headed 3 out, beaten when edged left flat
chased leader, every chance approaching 3 out, one pace from next
held up, headway 9th, every chance briefly approaching 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, pushed along and lost place approaching 8th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
always prominent, led 3 out, not fluent last, ridden clear flat
Emphatic, Southerncrosspatch, and Shared Account look the main protagonists in this competitive handicap hurdle and the tentative vote goes to Emphatic. The nine-year-old won well last time out when beating Icare d¿Oudairies and although he runs under a penalty here, will be hard to beat with conditions again in his favour. Southerncrosspatch rates the main danger as he also won well last time out, but that was over three miles two furlongs and the drop in trip is not sure to suit, so for that reason he is opposed. Shared Account is also worthy of respect despite top weight. He has shown fair form in Ireland and will relish the step back up to three miles, but again he may be vulnerable to a better-handicapped rival. Of the remainder, Sweet Bird is well weighted on his best form but has a 343-day absence to overcome, so we are happy to stick with the last time out winner Emphatic.
