in rear and keen, headway after 6th, soon hard ridden and well beaten before last
led, blundered badly 4th, headed 5th, led again 2 out, soon clear, driven out flat
disputed 2nd, hard ridden after 6th, chased winner 2 out, kept on, not pace of winner
in touch, driven along before 2 out, mistake last, weakened flat
held up in mid-division, chased leaders 6th, ridden and weakened before 2 out
disputed 2nd, led 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on
towards rear, headway 6th, soon ridden, beaten approaching 2 out
keen hold in rear, headway 5th, soon under pressure and weakened 2 out
driven along after 5th, soon weakened
in touch until 5th, soon weakened, tailed off from 2 out
always struggling in rear, pulled up before 2 out
East Hill has shown much the best form over hurdles, and was second to the useful Surprising here last year. He disappointed on his next two starts, however, and has not run for ten months but Mark Bradburne has a very good record riding for Toby Balding and he has to be respected. However, this might just go to a hurdling debutant and the two that fit the bill are Calling Brave and Half an Hour. The latter made a good start to his career when winning at big odds in a soft ground bumper at Haydock, and ran respectably on his two subsequent outings. He looks an interesting prospect, but the TEAMtalk preference goes to Calling Brave. Sir Robert Ogden's horse also made a wining debut, creating a big impression when running away with an Aintree bumper this time last year, and although unable to add to that he has been running in exalted company, including when eighth in the Festival Bumper at Cheltenham on his latest start. Calling Brave has the potential to be top class over hurdles and he is expected to take this in his stride.
