always towards rear
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden into narrow advantage last, driven out
chased leaders, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, gradually faded
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
always mid-division
tracked leaders, losing place when not fluent 6th, soon ridden, stayed on
towards rear, ridden 3 out, stayed on from next, never troubled leaders
pulled hard towards rear, headway to track leaders 4th, ridden after 3 out, soon one pace
in touch until weakened 3 out
always towards rear
led, ridden and headed soon after 2 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway after 6th, led soon after 2 out, headed last, kept on
in touch until weakened approaching 3 out
always towards rear
held up behind, headway after 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd approaching last, not reached leaders
Altilhar gets the vote is a competitive opener with Artadi and Katies Tuitor rated as the main dangers. The selection is an improving type and he ran a blinder at the Cheltenham Festival when chasing home Gaspara. This faster ground will play to his strengths and he should take plenty of beating. Artadi won well when beating King's Head at Taunton last time and fast ground clearly suits him. However, his overall form is nothing special and he looks worth taking on under his penalty. Katies Tuitor has been talked about as a possible for the champion juvenile hurdle at Punchestown next month and he is clearly a smart recruit to the hurdling game. He defied a hike in the weights to win impressively last time and although he has more on his plate today he is not one to dismiss lightly. Poker De Sivola is chasing the hat-trick today but his best form is on a softer surface and for that reason we will take him on. Altilhar is clearly quite useful and he can get his head in front today.
River Logic (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 5th, chased leaders approaching 2 out, led towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gs beating Mister Benedictine (11-5) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Altilhar (USA) 12-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 3 out, ran on flat to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 24, 5l behind Gaspara (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (1) gs.
Artadi (FR) 17-2 (10-11) Prominent, led on bit 3 out, pushed clear, pushed 2 out, easily, won at Taunton 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) gd beating King's Head (11-0) by 12l, 13 ran.
Katies Tuitor 6-5fav (11-6) Disputed lead, drew clear approaching 2 out, in command when blundered last, kept on well, won at Sandown 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Nov beating Irish Whispers (11-3) by 4l, 7 ran.
Poker De Sivola (FR) 3-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, led next, stayed on well, won at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating King Daniel (11-10) by 6l, 15 ran.
Vaqueras (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, steady headway into 3rd 3 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from next, 7th of 17, 17l behind Duty (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m mdn hdl hvy in Feb.
Mon Michel (IRE) 8-11fav (10-8) Settled in 3rd, chased winner well before 4 out, soon no impression, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Enlightenment (11-8) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Oldrik (GER) 11-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 5th, led briefly after 2 out, one pace approaching last, 2nd of 15, 6l behind Wyldello (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
