towards rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression
mid-division, ridden when hanging right on bend over 3f out, stayed on well from over 1f out, just denied
soon in rear
prominent, soon lost place
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, one pace when hanging left final furlong
prominent, led over 1f out, soon clear, held on near line
tracked leaders, chased leaders over 3f out, one pace
slowly into stride, never a factor
led for 1f, stayed prominent until weakened over 2f out
In what could turn out to be a closely-run affair, Tiger Hunter gets a narrow vote over the likes of Goldhill Prince and Rancho Cucamonga to name but two. Tiger Hunter caused a shock when landing an apprentices' claimer at Lingfield the time before last, popping in at odds of 66-1, and showed that was no fluke when finishing a fair fourth in a much tougher race at the Surrey track six days later when ridden by Kieren Fallon. Paul Howling's charge had rivals rated around two-stone higher immediately in front and behind that day, and with the drop back in trip expected to be in his favour, he should be in with a major chance here. He is only one of many with claims though and can only be given the smallest of votes. Strictly on today's terms he has nothing in hand over Goldhill Prince who was third after being carried wide in that apprentices' race, but the latter has a higher draw here and may just be held again. Rancho Cucamonga has been touched off on more than one occasion, and although he would not be a surprise winner, the feeling is that he really needs further. Of the rest, Straffan returned to winning ways when landing a seller at Lingfield, and as that was after a 160-day break, she may improve but has a bit more to do as does Piddies Pride, although she at least holds I'm Aimee on Lingfield running. In a hard one to call, Tiger Hunter gets the nod.
