chased leader, headway on bit after 13th, led on inside 4 out, ridden and quickened clear from 2 out, easily
led, blundered 2nd, ridden and headed 4 out, weakening when mistake 3 out
prominent, mistake 1st, headway 13th, ridden and weakened after 4 out, fell 3 out
held up last, headway 13th, ridden and challenged 3 out, every chance 2 out, not pace of winner
Just the four runners but this interesting affair can go to Saint Esteben, with the danger looking to be Alvino. Paul Nicholls saddles two in this race but Ruby Walsh has chosen to ride the selection ahead of the talented but error-prone Wild Knight. We are not going to argue with the young Irishman as the likely race-favourite has shown good form in two novice events, finishing behind Well Chief and Look Collonges. Normal improvement alone from those races makes him the one to beat. Alvino won at Market Rasen before coming unstuck in a handicap at Kempton. He has every right to go well, particularly as he hails from the in-form Henrietta Knight stable, but concession of a penalty and weight-for-age allowance to the selection will not make life easy. Wild Knight has won over course and distance but, as we say, looks the stable's second string while, barring mishaps, Watch The Dove will have to improve a little on what she has so far achieved to land the spoils. Once again, then, we'll side with Saint Esteben.
