in touch, headway 8th, mistake 4 out, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, mistake 9th, headway next, ridden and one pace from 2 out
behind from 9th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next
always prominent, led last, ridden out
held up, hit 7th, mistake 9th, brief effort next, mistake 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led after 1st, headed and mistake 2 out, soon weakened
behind, soon ridden, tailed off when pulled up after 7th
raced wide, led until after 1st, always prominent, jumped slowly 9th, led 2 out, soon ridden, headed last, stayed on
Another race in which the market should speak volumes about the respective fitness of the first time out runners. Lords Best was a useful hurdler for Alan King and few could knock a stable who are in such good form at the moment. He was rated 121 when taking his last start over hurdles but the trainer has believed him in the past to be a much better performer on a sound surface and we will take him on on that basis. Our preference is for Flying Trix. Mark Pitman's stable look to be coming out of the doldrums after a couple of wretched seasons and if he is fit enough, this former winner over hurdles at the track has produced decent enough performances in the past on this surface to suggest that he could be worth an investment. Benbecula could be the fly in the ointment. He had the misfortune of running into the likes of Rhinestone Cowboy over hurdles and is arguably one of the best maidens in training. Fern Lord romped home in a truly desperate staying hurdle at Newbury and more will be needed on this occasion. Flying Trix though is given our nod on this occasion.