chased leader until before 9th, went 2nd again 4 out, ridden after 3 out, about 1 length down when fell 2 out
held up in last, keen early, outpaced after 4 out, went 3rd after 3 out, left 2nd last, no chance with winner
raced very freely, led, not fluent 10th, headed 12th, weakened from 4 out
chased leaders, went 2nd before 9th, led 12th, 1 length ahead and going best when left well clear 2 out
Bagheera Ginge looked a fair hurdler in the making last autumn but was not seen between early October and last month when pulling up on chasing debut when returning to action. That makes him hard to assess and this second start over fences should help to clarify where we are with him at present. Umndeni wins in his turn over hurdles and is still in the early days of his chasing career, but first-time blinkers now go on after two well-beaten runs last month. Balko Saint has yet to score in eight tries over fences but usually runs his race and has been runner-up on his last three chasing starts. He should get his head in front sooner or later but CHIEF BLACK ROBE (NAP) rates a dramatic improver since joining Fergal O'Brien and it's hard to oppose the gelding as he goes in search of a quickfire hat-trick.
Bagheera Ginge 11-1 (12-0) Mid-division, not fluent 7th, dropped to rear and struggling after 9th, pulled up before next, at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Balko Saint (FR) 3-1 (11-10) Held up, briefly dropped to last before 4 out, ridden when went third after 2 out, took second just before final fence, kept on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 7 1/2l behind Courtland (11-2) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Umndeni (FR) 6-1 (11-8) Led, nodded on landing 1st, headed before 2nd but remained close up, dropped to third heading out on second circuit, hit 6th, rallied to go second again when ridden 2 out, beaten when dropped to third final fence, weakened on run-in, 3rd of 5, 32 1/2l behind Courtland (11-2) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Chief Black Robe (IRE) 4-6fav (11-9) Jumped left at times, held up in rear, closed from 6th, went 2nd 8th, challenged 4 out, led next, clear 3 out, easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in May beating Swapped (12-1) by 17l, 7 ran.
