held up, ridden 3 out, stayed on strongly after last but never getting to winner
led, ridden before 3 out, extended advantage before 2 out, reduced lead after last, stayed on gamely, always doing enough
raced handy, ridden 3 out, stayed on strongly after last but not getting to winner
raced handy, losing place and ridden 4 out, no impression, eased after last
THYME WHITE was unplaced in high-class affairs on his last three starts and we'll now see if a wind operation improves the gelding who previously looked a talented customer when joining the champion trainer from France. He's the one to beat if surgery has done its work. Pasvolsky ran a sound race last time at Cheltenham and Golden Taipan gained reward for consistency when landing a four-runner Ludlow handicap. This looks a tougher call, although he is respected. Amarillo Sky was probably a tad disappointing when only sixth in the Welsh Champion Hurdle and it's noted that connections return him immediately to hurdles after just a single chasing start.
Thyme White (FR) 13-2 (11-2) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, shaken up before 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 19 1/2l behind Milkwood (11-6) at Ayr 2m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Amarillo Sky (IRE) 4-1fav (11-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, lost 2nd before 2 out, no impression, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 13, 8 1/2l behind Witness Protection (11-2) at Chepstow 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Golden Taipan (IRE) 7-5fav (11-1) Tracked leaders in 3rd on inside, mistake 8th, switched left and went 2nd after 9th, led before 4 out, came clear next, mistake last, heavily eased final 100 yards, won at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Raya Time (12-0) by 6 1/2l, 4 ran.
Pasvolsky (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Led 1st, ridden and headed after 2 out, held flat, kept on, 5th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Samba Dancer (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
