tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, 3rd and held next, not fluent last
led, headed 2 out, soon driven, no impression on winner final 100 yards
behind, mistake 2nd, not fluent and tailed off from 4th, jumped left after, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader, challenged 3 out, led next, hung right before last and flat, clear inside final 100 yards
NEAR TO TEARS has made little impact in a couple of handicap hurdles but was placed over track and trip in a maiden hurdle before that. She may well be up to making a winning return in this company. Taurian is rated higher on the level than fellow hurdles newcomer Feeltherhythm and could prove the main threat given Secretsista was well beaten in both starts in bumpers last year.
Feeltherhythm (IRE) 6-1 (8-4) Close up, headway over 2f out, soon every chance, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Bell Weir (9-7) at Ayr 1m 7f hcp (6) gs in Aug.
Near To Tears (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Held up mid-division, weakened from 4 out, 4th of 10, 21l behind So Satisfied (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Secretsista 100-1 (10-12) Close up, lost place quickly 8f out, tailed off, last of 10, dist behind Woolstone One (10-12) at Newbury 1m 5f fll (6) sft in Dec.
Taurian 7-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, no extra in 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Free Passage (9-0) at Bath 1m 4f hcp (5) gf in Oct.
