prominent, weakened approaching 2 out, blundered last
held up in last pair, headway 6th, led 2 out, in command last, pushed out flat
led to 6th, not fluent after, went 2nd last, no impression on winner
held up in last pair, well beaten approaching 2 out
in touch, pushed along briefly after 7th, went 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, every chance before 2 out, weakened flat
tracked leader, led 6th, headed 2 out, weakened last
A small field but competitive nonetheless as all six have chances, from whom we like EPIDAVROS who can get the better of Quartz de Thaix and Leo's Lucky Star. Alan King has two entered and it is surely significant that Robert Thornton elects to ride our selection, who has had just the one start in this country when well held at Kempton. That effort over today's trip came in a much better race and whilst it's hard to draw much enthusiasm from it the gelding was entitled to need the run, his first for over 18 months, so we're hoping he's come on from that. One of our main reasons for siding with the French-bred four-year-old is that the trip should be ideal which can't be said of Invisible Man who has been running over further, and so he looks opposable despite that fact his official rating of 120 gives connections hope. Of more interest is Quartz de Thaix for Venetia Williams, who ran well enough behind My Moment last time out. That form looks pretty solid with crack hurdler Copper Bleu splitting the two and as this horse was an impressive winner on heavy ground back in February conditions hold no fears, although the feeling again is that a couple of furlongs further would be ideal and for that reason the five-year-old is narrowly passed over. Leo's Lucky Star ran in some of the best novice hurdles last year, including the Supreme at Cheltenham, and his rating of 136 over the smaller obstacles would seemingly give him every hope here. The concern is that he has had two tries over fences without much success, one fall and a well-held third, but it must be noted his hurdles form has improved dramatically since then and perhaps he's a better horse now. Al Co is another French-bred four-year-old and although he's been well beaten in two starts over fences they have been in hot company and this drop in grade helps his chances. Jonjo O'Neill's horse won a hurdle race at Pau in soft conditions so the ground won't be a problem and a bigger concern is the trip - this will be his first try at the minimum - and so he's overlooked as is Enfant De Lune who should find a race at some stage but jockey bookings look to tell their own story here. A really interesting little contest that can go to the Alan King yard with Epidavros our idea of the winner.
Enfant De Lune (FR) 20-1 (10-13) Prominent, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 10, 18l behind I'm Delilah (10-6) at Doncaster 2m nov chs (3) gd.
Leo's Lucky Star (USA) 66-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, 19th of 27, 40l behind American Trilogy (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Quartz de Thaix (FR) 9-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 7th, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 7, 9l behind My Moment (11-0) at Warwick 2m beg chs (4) sft.
Al Co (FR) 14-1 (10-7) Not fluent, held up in rear, ridden and struggling 8th, no chance 4 out, kept on from last, went 3rd near finish, 3rd of 6, 29l behind Riverside Theatre (11-0) at Newbury 2m 1f beg chs (3) gs in Nov.
Epidavros (FR) 13-2 (10-7) Tracked leaders, blundered 5th, chased winner 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 6, 21l behind You're The Top (11-0) at Kempton 2m nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
Invisible Man (FR) 6-5fav (10-7) Held up in touch, went 2nd 5th, led 7th, ridden and headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Shanballa (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 5f beg chs (4) sft in Aug.
