tracked leaders, led going well 2 out, clear before last, ridden out
tracked leaders, ridden 4th, losing place when not much room 3 out and pulled up
tracked leaders, ridden to lead narrowly approaching 2 out, ridden and outpaced after 2 out
held up in mid-division, mistake 2nd, weakened after 3 out
held up in rear, steady headway 5th, switched left to challenge and hit 2 out, chased winner before last, no impression
took keen hold and held up in rear, mistake 3 out and struggling
in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened
took keen hold and held up towards rear, headway to track leaders from 5th, ridden and weakened before 2 out
led to 2nd, stayed tracking leader, led again 5th to approaching 2 out, weakened
led 2nd to 5th, stayed handy until weakened before 2 out
always behind, mistake 2nd, tailed off 3 out
held up towards rear, effort after 3 out, soon struggling under pressure
tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, lost place next, struggling after 3 out
took keen hold and held up in rear, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, never dangerous
The handicapper appears to have the measure of a number of these so it will be a little surprising if Grand Finale, the only horse to ever beat the mighty Sinndar on the Flat, is not good enough to account for today's rivals. Andy Gin has not shown the same sparkle that earned him a crack at last season's Triumph Hurdle so the progressive Pardishar is expected to pose the selection the most problems - although My Galliano has gone well here in the past and is one to consider for a place as he is set to race off the same mark as when he gave the likes of Caracciola a bit of a scare before tiring near the finish over course and distance last November. Not too many of the rest have given indications that they are about to shine and only Russian Court, who needs to find improvement, and Silk trader, who reverts to hurdles after not looking a natural over fences, making any real appeal to give a run for the money. Therefore, this may be best left to Grand Finale now that he seems to have got his act together of timber. The son of Sadlers Wells was given plenty of time after he returned distressed with a respiratory problem after his hurdles debut behind Kopec in a Grade 2 event at ascot last season. His sights have obviously been lowered since then but Grand Finale has already proved that he has a future in handicap-company and he is the obvious one to be with today.
