led, ridden and headed after 8th, still every chance 2 out, rallied and kept on flat
held up, ridden after 7th, no impression
chased leaders, jumped left 3rd, ridden and weakened 7th
held up in rear, slight effort after 8th, soon beaten
always prominent, led after 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, all out
held up in touch, headway 8th, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra flat
prominent, chased winner approaching 3 out, weakened before next
always behind, pulled up after 8th
in touch, ridden 8th, soon weakened
held up, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on one pace
took keen hold, chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, no chance when mistake last
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
The Paul Nicholls-trained Khaladjistan reverts to hurdling after a couple of disappointing efforts over fences and, along with Ben More, holds solid claims but preference is for Jardin Fleuri who is partnered by Tony McCoy for the first time. The selection has been ridden by a conditional jockey in all of his starts since coming from France, showing his best form when second to Legal Lunch at Fontwell last time. However, it is significant that the Champion Jockey, who is having his first ride since returning from a fractured cheekbone, has been booked today and we take McCoy to make a dream comeback. Khaladjistan had some good form in bumper company to his name a couple of seasons ago but has failed to progress since then and is now dropped in class. He has to be respected along with Jeff King's Ben More, who also takes a drop in class having run creditably in handicaps of late. Cody, who has been beaten in similar grade recently and the unexposed Mizinky make most appeal of the remainder but the vote goes to Jardin Fleuri and the returning champ.
