prominent to 8th, soon weakened
held up and keen, headway 7th, ridden to chase leader and hung left approaching 3 out, hung right approaching 2 out, led flat, stayed on
prominent to 9th, soon weakened
in touch, reminder 6th, headway 7th, pecked 8th, ridden after 9th, soon weakened
led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed and not quicken flat
in touch, ridden 7th, weakening when mistake 9th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
took keen hold, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
prominent, lost place 2nd, behind when mistake 5th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out
Bumper winner Iris's Prince looks set to oblige in this modest looking affair, Bally's Bak and Donald look set to fight out the places. The selection displayed tremendous tenacity to hold off the challenge of Rouge Et Noir in that Worcester contest after the runner up had looked all over the winner in the last couple of furlongs. Further improvement can be expected from Jonjo O'Neill's gelding and he will prove hard to beat. Bally's Bak showed signs of a form revival when chasing home Houseparty in a handicap hurdle at Worcester last time and looks best of the others with form. Newcomer Donald is the other one to note here, Mark Pitman's charge was a close up fifth in a competitive Salisbury handicap last time and could go well on his hurdles debut. Best of the others could be the Irish raider Adams Wine, but Iris's Prince is a horse full of potential and is taken to land the spoils.