headway 4 out, led approaching 2 out, mistake last, ridden out flat
held up in rear, lost touch from halfway, tailed off when pulled up before last
tracked leader, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next
held up in rear, mistake 5th, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, effort and no extra approaching last
led, headed approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
towards rear, ridden and lost touch from halfway
ridden and effort 3 out, one pace from next
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next (wore cheek pieces)
towards rear, lost touch from halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
A relatively open contest, but the one they will all have to beat is top weight Ontos. Clearly on the upgrade, the German-bred and formerly Irish-trained gelding has wins at both Huntingdon and Sedgefield behind him as he comes into the race and passes up a chance in the earlier handicap hurdle for a tilt at this. Mick Fitzgerald has partnered him for both wins and knows his mount well. He can give trainer Andy Scott a winner here, despite giving away almost a stone to all his rivals. Of the remainder, Jazz Night could be the one to give the favourite most to do. Nigel Twiston-Davies's gelding put in a good showing first time out at Worcester recently before blowing up and having to settle for second, nine lengths adrift of Persian King. That should have put him spot on for this and a big run is expected. Another to enter calculations will be Wainak. The four-year-old has gone close twice recently over timber and a reproduction of either of those runs would have him thereabouts in this one. Perhaps significantly, jockey Tony Dobbin, who has ridden Wainak on his last two starts, partners Yanus here. The four-year-old was second here in a maiden hurdle back in May and had a pipe-opener on the level at York recently. Any market confidence would suggest he has a chance.
