tracked leaders, ridden approaching 9th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 9th, weakened 3 out
held up mid-division, headway 8th, went 2nd 3 out, ridden and every chance last, stayed on
mid-division, headway approaching 8th, went 2nd after 9th, ridden next, weakened 2 out
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up 3 out
behind, mistakes 1st and 5th, tailed off 3 out
in touch, ridden and headway approaching 8th, weakened 3 out
keen hold in touch, headway to lead approaching 8th, ridden and challenged last, stayed on gamely
always behind, blundered and unseated rider 8th
led to 8th, weakened quickly tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up, never troubled leaders
mid-division, hit 4th, reminders and lost place 6th, soon tailed off
The obvious lack of strong form lines makes this a difficult race to unravel - throw the expected soft ground into the equation and this becomes a even less appealing prospect for a punt. Three Lions showed bits of ability in the face of some stiff tasks last season and he is better judged on his completed starts than from his early exit in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Festival in March. However, this trip may be the absolute limit to his stamina and it would not be the first time that his style of running had set a race up for a stronger finisher. Therefore it would be no surprise to see this go to a newcomer to the hurdles scene. Home James, Tribal Venture and Bob Ar Aghaidh have all showed promise in bumpers and should be monitored in the betting, but Rosarian ran the most eye-catching races in that sphere and is taken to build on that promise today. Accepting and Pack Leader are others who should make an impact given time but this may be best left to Victor Dartnall's charge in the absence of any clues from the betting ring.
