jumped left, led, slight lead when went badly left and blundered last, soon headed, no chance to recover
tracked leading pair, 2nd travelling well enough before 3 out, carried left next, under 1 length down when badly hampered last, soon recovered and led, ridden out
held up last, jumped slowly 4th, outpaced 6th, plugged on into poor 3rd last
tracked leader, hit 6th, pushed along and lost 2nd before 3 out, soon weakened, lost poor 3rd last
With two of the five runners, Dan Skelton holds a strong hand. Hurdling debutant Protest won his last two on Tapeta last year when trained by Sylvester Kirk but jockey bookings suggest EXCELLENT TEAM is the one to be on. A winner at Fontwell and Stratford this season, it was a much better race in which he finished fourth at Plumpton nine days ago. Peruvien Bleu has every chance at the weights and was eased when third at Ffos Las recently so is the obvious danger.
Excellent Team 6-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 3rd, led and went left 3 out, headed well before next, lost 2nd before 2 out, went left mistake and lost 3rd 2 out, weakened, 4th of 9, 22 1/2l behind Tommy Silver (11-12) at Plumpton 2m hcp (2) gf in Apr.
Peruvien Bleu (FR) 4-1 (11-10) Held up, closed 3rd, 3rd before 4 out, close up 2 out, beaten last, 3rd and no impression when eased towards finish, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Jenkins (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m (4) gd in Apr.
Luca Brazi (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Several mistakes, held up in mid-division, well beaten from 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Little Chunk (11-6) at Stratford 2m 3f (4) gd in Apr.
Dance With Kate 50-1 (8-9) Slowly away always in rear, last of 5, 20 1/2l behind Rosie Royale (9-3) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Protest (IRE) 11-4fav (9-0) Made most, ridden 2 lengths clear entering final furlong, idled towards finish, just held on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Nov beating Two In The Pink (9-6) by nk, 13 ran.
