jumped badly right throughout, soon behind, tailed off
pulled hard early and badly hampered first, held up towards rear, pushed along 6th, never on terms
pulled hard and tracked leader, led approaching 3rd, headed 5th, soon weakened, tiring when mistake 2 out
held up in mid-division, lost touch 4th, soon weakened
pulled hard and led to 3rd, led again 5th, headed approaching 2 out, rallied and stayed on well approaching last
held up in touch, ridden and some headway 6th, one pace from 3 out
prominent, ridden and headway to challenge 6th, led approaching 2 out and mistake, idled under pressure from last and jinked at path close home
held up in touch, lost touch 5th, held off and pulled up before last
in touch, ridden 3 out, staying on when blundered 2 out, kept on from last but not reached leaders
Lirta, Fabulous Jet and Medici are all shortlisted in this maiden hurdle and the vote is given to Lirta. The selection looked like a winner waiting to happen when a good third behind My Way De Solzen at Leicester last time, and this giant gelding who remains open to plenty of improvement should take plenty of beating. Fabulous Jet is best with cut in the ground and this faster surface puts us off him on his hurdling debut. He was quite useful on the flat so should be capable of winning races in this sphere, but he looks worth opposing on this occasion. Medici is improving all the time and he put in another solid effort when second behind Mcbain over this course and distance. He has got obvious claims here but our selection looks progressive and he could prove to be quite useful. Keltic Blue was disappointing on his hurdling debut but is sure to come on for that experience. However, Lirta sets a fair standard here and is taken to score.
