always going well in touch, headway 3 out, led after last, shaken up flat, readily
led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed after last, kept on but no chance with winner
dwelt, keen and soon chasing leaders, weakened after 3 out
held up, headway after 5th, ridden after 3 out, one pace
held up in touch, headway 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace
held up behind, headway approaching 5th, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders
in touch until weakened approaching 2 out
prominent until approaching 3 out, ridden and one pace after
A large field goes to post for the first on the card but on closer inspection not many can be given a serious chance of winning and the principals look to be Albuhera, Ashley Brook and Highland Reel, and the confident vote goes to Albuhera. The gelding from the Paul Nicholls yard has done nothing but improve all season and a reproduction of his latest win over Distant Prospect would make him hard to beat. Ashley Brook rates the main danger. He won well last time out when defeating Supreme Serenade. He is still open to plenty of improvement but we just prefer Albuhera. Highland Reel could also go well as he was a classy performer on the flat and is sure to have been well schooled for this, his debut over hurdles, so he is worth noting in the market, but we are happy to side with the more experienced Albuhera.
