led, not fluent 1st, headed 4th, lost place 3 out, rallied approaching last, kept on
held up in touch, headway into 3rd before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, rallied next, kept on into 3rd, never a threat
held up in touch, driven 3 out, headway next, chased winner last, kept on same pace
keen early, always prominent, led 4th, drew 10 lengths clear 3 out, hard driven last, held on well
Eleven of MIDDLEBROW's last twelve starts have come over fences, including a comfortable win at Ffos Las last month, so it is a little surprising to see him returned to hurdles. He is in good heart though and this is not a strong novice hurdle and he is taken to maximise his greater experience. Emerald Rocket is the likely favourite after showing a decent level of ability on all three starts and is a potent threat but Kaizer has been well beaten on the Flat on his last three starts. The Steward looked highly likely to land a small novice or maiden hurdle at least after some promising efforts but has been well below par the last twice and is probably best watched.
John Mor 50-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, improved to dispute from 5th, close 2nd after 4 out, ridden and no extra 3 out, 9th of 19, 25 3/4l behind Convara (11-4) at Down Royal 2m mdn Yielding in Jun.
Middlebrow (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, lost place 3rd, closed 6th, 2nd 4 out, led before jumping left 2 out, comfortably, won at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun beating New Millennium (11-12) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.
The Steward (USA) 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced by front pair between last 2, ridden after last, soon beaten, lost modest 3rd flat, 4th of 7, 20 1/2l behind Decor Irlandais (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 6f mdn (4) gd in Jun.
Emerald Rocket (IRE) 5-2 (10-11) Prominent in chasing group, went 3rd after 3 out, plugged on, 3rd of 13, 12 1/4l behind Pacify (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn (5) gd in Jun.
Kaizer 14-1 (9-7) Keen prominent, led 8f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 10, 8 1/2l behind Strategic (8-11) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp (6) gf in Jul.