chased leader, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened approaching last
keen, led, hit 5th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakened next
held up, headway after 4 out, ridden next, weakened 2 out
held up and keen, headway 6th, close 4th when blundered 4 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, stayed on flat
chased leaders, led 2 out, mistake last, ridden out
held up in rear, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened next
The vote here has to go to the Nicky Henderson-trained River Pirate with Mr Whizz, Optimaite and Musical Stage posing as the main dangers. Nicky Henderson trains very few summer jumpers and the ones he has deserve plenty of respect. River Pirate won twice over hurdles last year and has always looked a chaser in the making. He proved that when winning first time of asking over the bigger obstacles at Warwick when narrowly beating Bearaway. He comes here with a penalty but can only improve on that last run and can follow up. Mr Whizz is having his debut over fences. His hurdles form was mostly in selling grade and will probably be best watched today. Optimaite is another newcomer who loves fast ground. He won a novice hurdle at Leicester in December but then disappointed on soft ground thereafter. He had a pipe opener on the flat two weeks ago so wont want for fitness and with the Millman horses running well on the flat is respected. Musical Stage is another to note in the market. A winner over hurdles in March, he ran well to finish second on his chase debut behind hot pot Translucid at Huntingdon and will the biggest danger to River Pirate who is taken to follow up his Warwick win.
