tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 3 out, 3rd and held when veered left under pressure approaching 2 out, soon beaten
mistake, held up in rear, mistakes 4th and 7th, ridden next, weakened 3 out, pulled up before last.
raced wide, keen, tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, weakened approching 3 out
pressed leader, led narrowly and kept narrow advantage after 6th, headed and not fluent 2 out, hit last, rallied gamely to lead near finish
pulled hard in touch, ridden from 8th, weakened before 3 out
keen, led and set steady pace, narrowly headed after 6th, stayed pressing winner, mistake 4 out, led narrowly 2 out, mistake last, no extra and headed near finish
Tacin went to Ireland to open his account over hurdles and has to be respected back on "home" soil but, with an absence to overcome, he may be best watched and preference is for Sir Mouse, who gets the verdict over Watch The Dove. The last mentioned is more exposed than most of these but is at least consistent and from a stable in good form. However, Colin Tizzard's gelding may be booked for a place at best again. Keepers Mead lost no caste in defeat behind Time To Reflect at Chepstow earlier in the month but, with Martin Pipe's horse having let the form down at Kempton on Wednesday, he looks worth taking on. The Philip Hobbs-trained Castleford could be interesting on his hurdling debut having shown promise on two bumpers, while Station Island showed enough on his first outing over timber at Wetherby in May to suggest he can win races. However, Sir Mouse was good value for his win at Fakenham earlier in the month on his first outing since March and, with more to come, he is taken to follow up.
