mid-division, pushed along approaching 5th, weakened before next
always behind
always behind
jumped right 1st 2, chased leaders to 5th, soon beaten
held up in rear, headway approaching 5th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, never nearer
took keen hold, led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, effort approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
chased leaders to 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 4th, led approaching 2 out, driven out
prominent to 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
in touch, headway approaching 3 out, every chance from 2 out, unable to quicken
in touch, lost place approaching 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 5th, chasing leaders and not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, weakened last
towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
Lirta has not yet managed to break his maiden tag for Martin Pipe, but with the champion trainer in such magnificent form we take the French bred gelding to come good here, with Alcris and Turbo very likely to be the dangers. The selection finished runner-up on four occasions in his homeland and in doing so proved he will handle the cut in the ground here. Pitched in in a decent novices' chase for his British debut last December, he failed to sparkle, and he was not seen again until having his first run for Pipe at Cheltenham last month, when he made a pleasing debut for his new connections. He will improve a fair bit for that and can add to the trainers great current run. Alcris is improving steadily in three starts to date, but has not achieved what the selection has thus far. He has not run well with cut in the ground so far, but he is worth giving another chance to make the frame here with the yard coming back to form. Of the remainder, Turbo comes here fit from the Flat, where he is rated 90, and as he handles cut and 10 furlongs on the level he should see out this trip, so he may present the biggest danger to the selection. But we will go for Lirta, who can land another one for Martin Pipe.
