with leader until lost place after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, weakened from 2 out
mid-division, weakened from 3 out, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, led 5th, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on
led to 5th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch until lost place from 3 out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept on no impression from last
mid-division, ridden and no impression 2 out
held up in touch, headway 3 out, led and blundered last, driven out
held up, ridden approaching 2 out, never dangerous
This should rest between Dhaudeloup, Master Henry and Talarive, and the vote goes to Dhaudeloup. The selection has been chasing on a couple of occasions following a three year break from the racecourse, and his previous hurdling form of three and four years ago would make him a shoo in if he could reproduce it. He showed he retained some sort of ability in those two chases, when finishing runner up first time out and then falling when well clear next time, and with Richard Fahey in form we will take his charge to score. If he does slip up, then Master Henry could take advantage. A nine length winner from Flahive's First at Newton Abbot in June was followed by a decent effort following a 9lb rise, when he finished second to Mumaris at Uttoxeter in July. He goes well fresh and could give the selection a bit to do. Of the others, Talarive makes some appeal on the best of his form over hurdles and his drop in the weights will continue to help. However, he does not quite look in the sort of form to take advantage of that just at present, and so we are happy to stick with Dhaudeloup, who is a confident choice.
