keen, mid-division, headway approaching 7th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, weakened after next
always behind
held up, headway approaching 7th, weakened next, behind when fell last
chased leaders to 6th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, challenging when mistake 3 out, led approaching 2 out, clear when not fluent last, ran on
in touch, ridden 6th, soon weakened
behind from 4th, blundered 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
prominent, ridden when hit 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
always behind
led, hit 4th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up and keen, ridden after 7th, never troubled leaders
This should concern Croix De Guerre, Adjiram and Brooklyn Brownie and the vote goes to Croix De Guerre. The selection is receives the weight-for-age allowance from the other pair and can make best use of that, with some decent form under his belt. Philip Hobbs' gelding is one who likes to be prominent, which is an advantage with such a short home straight here, jumps well and acts well on decent ground. His novice hurdle form reads consistently well in the context of this race and he can score. Adjiram is a moderate banded runner on the Flat who showed his best hurdles form in a limited number of starts so far when beaten half-a-length by Kalambari here last time over course and distance. That form should be good enough to see him involved again, but it will be a surprise if he is good enough to upset the selection. The form shown by Brooklyn Brownie thus far suggests that he is good enough to give the selection most to do. A Hexham bumper winner, he was beaten by further than would have been the case if he had been ridden out at Uttoxeter last time. That was over further than this, and it may be that the reduced trip helps, so take a look at the market for any further clues. However, the best form on offer here is from Croix De Guerre, and he remains our choice.
