always in touch, tracked leaders 6th, leading readily approaching last, won hard held
held up mid-division, took closer order 5th, led after next till headed approaching last, not quickened flat
led till headed and mistake 6th, weakened rapidly next, tailed off when pulled up before last
tracked leaders to 5th, weakened next, soon well behind
in touch, took closer order 6th, tracked leader to 2 out, ridden and one paced last
mid-division to 4th, some headway 4th, soon ridden
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and weakened 3 out
mid-division, ridden after 5th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before last
behind till staying on from 3 out but never nearer
prominent, tracking leaders till approaching 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
in rear, mistake 2nd, soon ridden, finished well behind
mid-division till ridden and weakened 4 out
prominent to 4th, soon behind, pulled up before last
An international feel to this first race with challengers from Germany and France but both may have to give way to the Jonjo O'Neill-trained East Tycoon who showed promise in Ireland before entering the Triumph Hurdle picture after beating the useful Mirant at Doncaster. Unsuited by a slow pace last time out this bigger field may produce a faster run race and he should prove hard to beat provided the ground does not get any softer. Christian Von Der Recke saddles his Dutch-bred Double Fun in this ¿8000 contest who disappointed in a Flat race last time out but had previously shown useful form at Newbury behind Tramantano. He is, however, one who would prefer a much softer surface. The other Continental challenger in the race is Golden Flight who showed promise in the French provinces before disappointing last time out at Newbury. He holds the German horse Double Fun in a line through Tramantano. Of the rest Timmy Murphy looks an interesting jockey booking on the unraced Orake Prince for Johnny Portman while the once-raced Ardashir is respected from the in-form Nigel Twiston-Davies yard.
