led to approaching 2nd, left in lead before 4th, ridden after 3 out, quickened clear approaching 2 out, pushed out
held up in mid-division, headway after 6th, challenged after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, ran on well but not pace of winner
held up in mid-division, blundered 5th, weakened before 6th, soon behind
held up in touch, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, hung left and ran on same pace from 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 6th, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden before 6th, no impression
chased leader, not fluent 6th, ridden after 3 out, not quicken
mid-division, weakened 6th, pulled up before 7th
held up in mid-division, headway before 7th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
pulled hard and led before 2nd, hung badly left before 4th, soon pulled up
held up last on outside and hung left throughout, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out
Heron's Ghyll can defy a penalty to take the race at the main expense of Lord Buckingham and Blue Endeavour. The Venetia Williams-trained gelding has been ultra-consistent and, while the handicapper has taken no chances in allotting a mark of 114, he should be capable of landing a prize in this novices' contest. The front-runner has had no apparent concerns over the trip in the past and confirmed his well being with a clear second to Major Euro at Sandown. Lord Buckingham was a little disappointing at Doncaster over two miles and is stepped up in trip. The winner of that previous race has gone on to take a decent prize at Newcastle since so the form has more than a touch of resonance about it. Blue Endeavour has obvious ability and has to be respected coming, as he does, from the stable of Paul Nicholls. Stablemate Dusty Bandit showed signs of promise when chasing home Control Man at Fontwell on his debut and is impossible to ignore, while Martin Pipe's horses can do little wrong at present so Lucifer Bleu is another worthy of a mention, although he needs to improve on recent form to trouble the selection. Henry Daly's Thisisyourlife was held in third when falling behind Grande Jete on his hurdling debut but this represents a drop in class for the son of Lord Americo, who is another worth a close look. However, Heron's Ghyll has done little wrong and gets the nod.
