held up, headway 5th, led 8th, hit 3 out, clear next, easily
in touch, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
held up, bumped 6th, weakened 4 out
prominent, went 2nd 3 out, ridden approaching next, stayed on, no chance with winner
not jumped well, always behind, pulled up after 4th
led to 8th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out
tracked leader, lost place when bumped 6th, no danger after
A small but competitive field goes to post for this novices hurdle and Chief Witness is confidently expected to score he has won his two hurdle races in good style. His latest victory over Wintertide looks rock solid form in the context of this race and he will be hard to beat with conditions again in his favour. First Flight has been in fair form in chases of late but he took a heavy fall in that sphere last time and this may just be a confidence booster for him before he is sent back over the larger obstacles. Ewar Bold was fourth in a seller behind Greenback last time out, he has place claims on that effort but he needs to improve to score. Canal End is from a top yard but he has shown very little of late, however he is worth a cautionary look in the market. The remainder have shown very little and are readily opposed.
