always towards rear, weakened 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, behind from 4th, weakened 5 out, tailed off
held up in touch, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened last
held up in mid-division, headway after 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, went 2nd after last, kept on, no chance with winner
held up in rear, headway 4 out, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
always behind, weakened 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, led 2nd, headed 4th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, no extra after last
always towards rear
in touch, closer order 4th, led 3 out, ridden clear approaching last, easily
tracked leader, led 4th, headed 3 out, ridden and mistake 2 out, weakened last
Nabir gets the vote here ahead of The Rising Moon, Lennel and Rifleman. The Martin Pipe-trained selection is another French import and he showed ability when third in a mile soft-ground handicap at Chantilly last time. His trainer will no doubt have targeted one of his better juveniles for this stage of the season at this race and he looks set to go well. Lennel come into this on the back of a good Flat run at Epsom and a repeat if his hurdling debut third behind Duke Of Buckingham in June, puts him into the argument. New Zealand import Magico will probably need this outing, unless the market says something radically different. The well-bred Presenter showed plenty of ability on the Flat but has been off for a while now, while Ginger McCain's Red Lion might fare better back at this trip after showing promise on his hurdling debut. Rifleman showed enough on his hurdling debut at Taunton to suggest that he could play a part today, while the Jonjo O'Neill and Tony McCoy partnership is represented by The Rising Moon, who was a very good bumper winner before disappointing at Grade 2 level on his hurdling debut. He clearly has ability but, for today, we are going to side against him with Nabir.
