chased leader, untidy when took it up briefly 4 out, pushed along 3 out, could not go pace of leader last, weakened flat
made pretty much all, pressed when still going well 2 out, kept on well from last, never in any danger
held up, headway travelling well on inner 2 out, soon outpaced, kept on same pace from last
chased leader, headway on outside 3 out, ridden and outpaced from 2 out, kept on well from last, never a threat to winner
All are of interest. The Dancing Poet, a dual winner in the recently concluded Flat season, will not want for fitness on a first start over hurdles since the opening day of 2020. He's hard to assess, as is Lakota Warrior who travelled well before fading away quickly on his hurdling debut at Aintree last month. Better is expected now. Largy Reach came home runner-up on his Rules/stable debut at Bangor but is set a stiff task. He will improve though, whilst Rory And Me ran very well on his sole hurdling start here in November 2020. He's a promising type but SAUCE OF LIFE is 2-2, both on sharp tracks, and can make his speed tell in a race with no obvious pacemaker.
The Dancing Poet 17-2 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden to press leaders 2f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on, no extra last 110 yards, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Emiyn (9-11) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Lakota Warrior (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Held up rear of mid-division, closed 2 out, outpaced from 2 out, weakened before last, 8th of 12, dist behind Gelino Bello (11-2) at Aintree 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Largy Reach 17-2 (11-0) Held up in touch in mid-division on inside, lost place but still going ok over 4f out, switched right and closed over 2f out, led narrowly just over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Gentle River (11-0) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f (5) gs in Oct.
Sauce Of Life (IRE) 6-5 (11-6) Chased leader, led over 2f out, driven inside final furlong, joined last strides, held on, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (5) gd in Apr beating Tigerbythetail (10-13) by shd, 5 ran.
Rory And Me (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Close up, pushed along to keep pace with leading group before 3 out, disputed 2nd after last, kept on final strides without reaching winner, 2nd of 12, 3 3/4l behind Gemirande (10-12) at Wetherby 2m (4) gs in Nov.
