keen, in touch, headway 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
led to 5th, weakened after next, behind when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
held up, headway 6th, led 3 out, ridden and jumped left 2 out, headed flat, one pace
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
promineint, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
behind from 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
prominient, led 5th, headed 7th, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
held up, headway 7th, led flat, soon quickened clear
pulled hard, tracked leaders, led 7th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened approaching last
always behind
prominent to 4th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
Maiden hurdles at this time of year are especially hard to get to grips with as many of the field are usually being primed for a later campaign. But Wintertide, who finished sixth in the Northumberland Plate last year, looks to be head and shoulders above most of these and he can be confidently expected to start off the season-proper in much better races than this. Sandywell George and Nickle Suntoo are other that are going the right way and will pose Charlie Mann's inmate the biggest problems today - although Euro Falcon represents a trainer/jockey pairing that needs little introduction and have a healthy strike-rate when they hit the racecourse together. Euro Falcon won a Listed race over nine furlongs in Germany last year and obviously has to be respected. But he is making his debut over hurdles today and may be best watched this time around. Therefore, Wintertide, who has hurdles form with the useful Chief Witness and Lord Sam, is taken as the safest option today.
