soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
prominent to 4th, tailed off 8th
in touch, headway 3rd, ridden to chase winner 10th, soon weakened
in touch, led 7th, not fluent 9th, clear 3 out, not fluent last, shaken up flat, stayed on
always behind, tailed off when hampered by loose horse and unseated rider after 8th
chased leaders, ridden to chaser winner 3 out, weakened approaching last
took keen hold, led to 7th, weakened 10th
prominent, not fluent 2nd, soon lost place, rallied 7th, ridden to chase winner after 10th, weakened 2 out
A good competitive field has been drawn together for the Martell Cognac Sefton Novices' Hurdle but it is virtually impossible to ignore the claims of Iris¿s Gift. His only blemish on an otherwise perfect record over hurdles is a three-quarter-length defeat inflicted at the Cheltenham Festival by Baracouda. He holds a huge advantage on the official BHB figures for the race and is taken to round off his season in style. Hardy Eustace and Pizzaro are obvious dangers as they are stepped up in trip today. But Royal Emperor has shown grim determination in each of his outings and he is taken as the best best for each way value.
