tracked leaders, chased winner from 7th, mistake next, ridden and effort 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leader, weakened quickly approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
headway to go in touch 6th, ridden 4 out, one pace from 2 out
in touch, mistake 7th, weakened quickly, pulled up before next
headway approaching 4 out, brief effort next, soon weakened
towards rear, struggling from 8th, soon lost touch
towards rear, some headway 7th, weakened from next
made all, jumped left throughout, clear approaching 7th, ridden 2 out, stayed on strongly
towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, weakened from next
tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
soon behind, tailed off from halfway, pulled up before 7th
held up, pushed along 8th, weakening when mistake 4 out, pulled up before next
held up, pushed along and lost place 8th, weakened from 4 out
soon behind, not jumped well, tailed off from halfway, pulled up before 7th
towards rear, struggling from 8th, never dangerous
held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, ridden and one pace from next, never on terms
Royal Emperor, although still to break his duck over hurdles is the clear form pick to land this race for his new trainer Sue Smith. He raced just the once last season here at Carlisle finishing third under topweight. He has obviously had some sort of training problem but if he can repeat that effort he should go close as the TEAMtalk selection. Ballystone returns to hurdling after a not too unsuccessful bout of steeplechasing. The distance is ideal and he could give the selection most to do. D J Flippance has some useful form over this distance and going and could be in the shake up if fit first time out. The rest look distinctly average.
