chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened last
led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
always towards rear, never dangerous
keen, chased leaders, ridden after 7, weakeneing when mistake 3 out
held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway 5th, stumbled bend after 7th, led 2 out, driven out
in touch, headway after 7th, ridden and every chance 2 out, stayed on
held up, headway 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, ran on towards finish
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, one pace flat
in touch, lost place after 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, lost place after 4th, tailed off when pulled up and dismounted before 6th
always towards rear
towards rear, headway after 7th, ridden 2 out, not fluent last, one pace flat
held up in rear, headway 3 out, ridden next, no extra towards finish
mid-division, saddle slipped after 2nd, behind when pulled up before 4th
prominent to 5th, soon weakened
A competitive handicap hurdle with Araglin, Uncle Max, Royal Bubble and Cool Dante all possibilities, but the vote goes to the last named. Cool Dante is back over hurdles after a successful spell over the bigger obstacles. He was going as well as any when coming to grief four out at Perth on his penultimate start and confirmed that promise when beating Fier Goumier by a length on his next outing. He runs of a similar rating here over hurdles and with the Tim George yard in great form is taken to score again. Araglin was a good second to Ask Me What last time out and runs off the same mark here. This is tougher though and is best watched. Uncle Max will have his supporters and is only 1lb higher for his win in selling company at Hereford on his penultimate start. He showed promise in a handicap when fourth of fourteen at Stratford last time out and is one for the short list. Royal Bubble is back over hurdles after some poor efforts over fences. His hurdle form does read better but he may still struggle. For the winner we return to Cool Dante.