held up in rear when brought down 5th
in touch, effort after 3 out, chased leader next, led last, in command and driven when edged left flat, stayed on
in touch, effort to chase leaders after 3 out, driven and weakened before next
held up in rear until badly hampered and unseated rider 5th
always in rear, driven along and no impression after 3 out
towards rear when fell 5th
raced wide in rear, hit 6th, stayed on under pressure approaching last, no chance
held up in touch, hit 2nd and 7th, ridden and weakened before 2 out
towards rear, hit 6th, lost touch after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
tracked leaders, effort to chase leaders after 3 out to 2 out, one pace and beaten before last
led, mistake 2 out, mistake and headed last, held when switched right near finish
behind, kept on under pressure before last, no danger
chased leader to after 3 out, weakened quickly next
tracked leaders, mistake and lost place 4th, pulled up before 7th
A typically competitive Handicap hurdle for the course and many of the field come here with solid claims. The shortlist includes: Il Cavaliere, who ran a blinder over course and distance last time, His Song, who is much better than his form figure would suggest and It's Wallace Junior, who is nothing but game and will be difficult to keep out of the frame if he runs to form. However, the same comments apply to Shalako and Phillip Hobbs' charge is given a slender vote of preference. The six-year-old went down fighting in slightly better race than this at Cheltenham last time and has solid claims on that form alone. The ease in grade will help the Shalako today and this lightly raced gelding can do his bit now that his stable's runners have shown signs of a revival of late.
