tracked leaders, led after 6th, comfortably
led, mistake 4th, headed after 6th, 2nd and no chance with winner when fell last
held up in touch, jumped slowly 7th, driven 4 out, soon beaten
held up, ridden and headway 3 out, beaten when left 2nd last
held up, mistake 6th, tailed off when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
chaxsed leaders, lost place 6th, soon beaten
It was strange to see Hitman not trying to force the pace last time, having successfully employed those tactics at Warwick. This is an ideal track for front-runners and if allowed to bowl along, he could take a bit of pegging back. However, the selection has to be Arkle hopeful Isio, who is taken to retain his unbeaten record over fences. On hurdles form he does have a little to find with Hitman, who gave him 7lbs and a beating at Kempton last year, but he has always appeared the type to do better over fences and is taken to gain his revenge. Coulthard is a decent if somewhat enigmatic character over timber, but his efforts over fences have been less than inspiring so far, but he and Marcus Maximus can fight for the minor honours.
