tracked leaders, ridden and hit 2 out, every chance last, not quicken flat
held up mid-division, outpaced after 3 out, kept on from next
tracked leader, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up, smooth headway after 3 out, in 3rd and going well when fell 2 out
held up in touch, pushed along and struggling from 3 out, behind when badly hampered next
made all, ridden and under pressure 2 out, kept on well flat
held up, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, weakened run-in
held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon outpaced, kept on
This is an interesting finale and we think it might go Rainbow Tree, who gets our vote ahead of Honest Endeavour, Ground Breaker and Samikin. Running through the field. Samikin is an Irish point-to-point winner who showed some promise on his Uttoxeter debut although, in time, he will probably be better over further. Rainbow Tree has shown some promise over hurdles following a bumper win here. Ground Breaker was two-and-a-half lengths behind him in that bumper and has shown promise in a couple of hurdling runs, while Hands Down showed promise on his bumper debut but, that said, will need to improve a good bit on that to feature. Thus far, Alcopop has been a little disappointing over hurdles but the same cannot be said of the aptly-named Honest Endeavour, who has won his last two races, displaying likeable qualities in the process. However, he has to concede 12 pounds and more (not including his rider's three-pound allowance) to the field, which includes Rainbow Tree, who is four pounds better off for the two-and-a-half lengths he finished behind him at Uttoxeter on October 13. He has since been beaten over a longer trip but, back at this trip and at a venue we know he likes, Rainbow Tree might provide the answer today.
