led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened next
mid-divsion, headway 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten
chased leaders until 9th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, led approaching 2 out, headed last, edged left and one pace flat
chased leaders, mistake 9th, one pace from 2 out
held up, some headway when hit 3 out, behind when mistake last
held up in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway 4th, pecked 8th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed before next, weakened last
held up, pushed along 4th, ridden 7th, brief effort on outside next, weakened 9th
held up, shaken up and headway 3 out, stayed on flat, never nearer
held up towards rear, steady headway 8th, ridden after 3 out, led last, stayed on well
held up and took keen hold, hit 1st, weakening when mistake 9th
Chivite can put his course and distance experience to good advantage here, with Harapour, Haditovski, Grand Finale and Dark Lord all likely to provide a threat. Chivite lines up in fair form, having won two of his last three starts and should run well. Successful in novice hurdle company here last July, Philip Hobbs's charge bounced back from a break to score nicely at Exeter 18 days ago, no doubt helped by a winning run-out in a charity race at Ludlow five days earlier. As one of the younger brigade he has plenty of scope and looks the one to beat. Harapour has not had a great deal of racing since coming over from France three years ago, but won well at Exeter in February and was a fair second at Chepstow last time. The ground is in his favour so he is another to consider for a place at least. Haditovski failed to see out a similar trip to this over fences at Bangor last time and now reverts to the smaller obstacles for the first time in over a year. However, he did win here over hurdles in December 2001 and is another that will appreciate the cut in the ground. Grand Finale has struggled since going up the weights, while Dark Lord would enter the equation if getting his jumping together. With slight doubts about most for one reason or another, Chivite makes most appeal in the opener.
