chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
behind, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders
held up in touch, good headway approaching 2 out, led after 2 out, ran on well, ridden out
in touch from 3 out, soon behind
in touch, headway approaching 3 out, every chance after 2 out, soon ridden, weakened
chased leaders, mistake 4th, weakened after 3 out
led, blundered 2 out, soon headed, not recover
held up in rear, not clear run after 3 out, stayed on never dangerous
in touch, headway approaching 2 out, chased winner approaching last, kept on
in touch, headway after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace
prominent and keen, hit 2nd, mistake 3 out and lost position, stayed on well from 2 out, improved
prominent until 3rd, chased leaders until weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders until 3rd, soon behind
in touch until weakened approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, ridden after 3 out, one pace
Nawow had some useful form on the flat and made a winning start to his hurdling career when winning over course and distance last month but this is a more competitive contest and, under a penalty, he looks worth taking on which we do with Kjetil, who gets the verdict over Seeyaaj. The last mentioned won a 1m2f maiden on the flat for Alex Stewart but failed to progress from that in three starts subsequently and preference is for the Paul Nicholls-trained Kjetil. The selection was placed in Listed Race-company on the level in France and has joined a top stable so it would come as no surprise to see the son of King Of Kings proving to be too good for his rivals here. Nicky Henderson also introduces a gelding formerly trained in France in the shape of Shamdian but he was a miler on the flat and is not certain to get two miles over hurdles, particularly at a stiff track like Sandown. Tusk, formerly with Mick Channon, would be interesting if able to reproduce the best of his flat form but Henrietta Knight's horses very often need their first start and of more interest could be Kristoffersen, who was a staying on third behind Francois Doumen's Tarque in a decent race at Kempton's recent Kempton meeting and should be suited by this stiffer track. Newcomers Raoul Dufy and Rustic Charm are others worthy of a mention but we stick with Kjetil to make a winning start for Paul Nicholls.
