held up rear, ridden 7f out for headway, stayed on moderately
made all, ridden 3f out, clear over 2f out, comfortable
tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 6f out, tailed off
mid-division, pushed along halfway, lost place and tailed off
in rear, behind 10f out, tailed off
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 3f out
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f
held up towards rear, behind 10f out, tailed off, pulled up halfway
towards rear, ran in snatches, ridden from halfway, stayed on to chase clear winner over 1f out, no impression
held up mid-division and keen, headway to chase leaders 10f out, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f
held up rear and keen, behind 10f out, tailed off
in touch, lost place halfway
tracked winner throughout, ridden over 4f out, one pace and headed for 2nd over 1f out
held up rear, behind 10f out, some moderate late headway, never nearer
The market should serve up most clues and Troodos Valley, Westbourne and French Envoy create the most interest on paper. Troodos Valley was seen staying from an impossible position at Haydock Park on his first start under rules. The third in that bumper has won since so the form does at least have an edge about it. Westbourne hails from a yard that has its fair share of bumper winners and Robert Thornton has stayed to take the mount. French Envoy is related to a number of useful hurdlers and is owned by Sir Robert Ogden. His sire enjoyed a 37% strike rate with his bumper runners last term and the market should reveal how forward this one is today. Tates Avenue was nicely backed before his appearance at Ascot but floundered when the race began in earnest while Gaelic Flight's yard is performing much better these days than when he made his debut last December. In short, a tough race where the best information will be gleaned through close inspection of the market.
