held up mid-division, ridden 2 out, one pace and no impression
chased clear pair, hit 4 out, went 2nd next, ridden to lead approaching last, driven out
held up in rear, ridden after 2 out, kept on one pace, no impression
held up towards rear, lost place from 4 out
led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, mistake 4th and 5th, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on
held up in touch, ridden and headway after 3 out, one pace from next
Nawamees can make the most of the weight concession from Howle Hill, with Dad's Elect, Teme Valley and Prince Among Men expected to make their presence felt without being good enough. Howle Hill is a classy sort who made a winning debut over the course and distance last year before being aimed at all the top juvenile events, but he looked to have gone over the top when down the field in the Swinton Hurdle in May and is best watched for the time being, although he will definitely pay to follow. On this occasion the older Nawamees, who gets six pounds is preferred. Gary Moore's charge is reunited with Tony McCoy, the only jockey to have won on him over hurdles, and he will be fit enough after a recent run on the Flat at Ascot. He will be even more interesting when stepped up to two and a half miles in future, but can make fitness tell here. Dad's Elect won well enough at Southwell and can be involved as well, but has more to do along with Teme Valley who has been chasing. He may appreciate being back over the smaller obstacles, but does not have near as much scope as either of the two main contenders, the best of whom may be Nawamees.
