tracked leader, hit 1st, ridden approaching last, ran on well to lead flat, all out
held up, headway after 4th, ridden after next, weakened approaching 2 out
led, headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled after 3 out
held up in touch, headway approaching 4 out, led next, soon ridden, headed and no extra flat
always behind, tailed off from 5th
in touch, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened after 2 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on
always towards rear
chased leaders until weakened approaching 4 out, behind when pulled after 2 out
Quite a competitive novice hurdle in which several of the runners can be given a chance of sorts. Vanormix has been in good form since the turn of the year, picking up a couple of minor events along the way, but he does look to be up against under a double penalty. Hurdling debutante Old Bean has been passed over by Mick Fitzgerald in favour of Doncaster winner Petanque. The latter was all at sea on the testing ground at Sandown on his latest outing and a better effort here can be expected. A chance is taken with the consistent Pepe Galvez, who ran just as well as ever when chasing home Caracciola over course and distance last month. Lightly raced over hurdles this one time runner-up to subsequent Group 1 winner Marienbard, in a maiden at Leicester as a three-year-old, has yet to finish out of the frame over hurdles and is still open to some improvement.
