held up towards rear, hit 6th, headway 9th, ridden to chase leaders approaching 2 out, weakened approaching next
held up in touch, led approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on well flat
held up, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, soon tailed off
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened next
led, headed approaching 3rd, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
held up, mistake 3rd and 4th, lost place from 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, led after 9th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, one pace from last
held up, pushed along after 6th, weakened from 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear, pushed along approaching 8th, soon weakened, tailed off from next
Combat Drinker, Relix and Rocket Force look the three to concentrate on in this novices hurdle and the confident vote is given to Combat Drinker. The selection won well last time out when beating No Further Comment and although he has a penalty for that win he won with as little in hand and he is taken to win again under conditions that suit. Relix rates the main danger on his latest fourth behind Tandava especially as the step up in trip looks sure to suit. Rocket Force is another worthy of respect on his best form and he is another that may be suited by this longer trip but his form leaves him with a little to find and for that reason he is opposed. Seattle Prince is another with place claims on his best form but his best efforts have come with much more cut in the ground and for the winner we return to Combat Drinker.
Combat Drinker (IRE) 6-5fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway when hit 4 out, challenged next, soon led, hit last, kept on under pressure flat, won at Wetherby 3m 1f nh mdn hdl (E) gd in May beating No Further Comment (11-0) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
I'm Your Man 33-1 (11-9) Always behind, 12th of 14, 46l behind Acceleration (10-10) at Kelso 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in May.
River of Fire 14-1 (10-2) Mid-division, ridden and lost place after 5th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Angie's Double (9-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gd in May, 17 ran.
Rocket Force (USA) 16-1 (11-2) In touch, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 16, 35l behind Bishop's Bridge (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn hdl (E) gf in May.
