tracked leaders, left in lead 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on flat
tracked leaders and keen, led 3rd, ran out 5th
behind, effort approaching 3 out, no impression after
held up, headway after 5th, ridden and kept on from 2 out
held up mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on
tackled leaders, slightly hampered 5th, weakened 7th
led, headed 3rd, close up when badly stumbled 5th, not recover
chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out
in touch, chased leaders approaching 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
in touch, outpaced approaching 2 out, kept on same pace flat, no impression
held up behind, hit 3 out, never dangerous
held up behind, never on terms
held up, headway 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, staying on and disputing 4th when fell 2 out
The Howard Johnson team will be disappointed if Factor Fifteen cannot pick up a race like this and he is given a confident nomination to get the better of the likes of Aleron and Top The Bill, who look potential spoilers for the selection. The last named takes some stoking along but has already shown enough to merit plenty of respect at this level. However, he is becoming a very expensive horse to follow and he appears to need everything to fall just right for him. Aleron has been called a few names in the past and does have a tendency to find little when he comes off the bridle. However, he did drop a significant hint about what he can do on his day when winning on his latest start and will be dangerous to dismiss if this extra three furlongs does not find him out. The early tempo of the race will probably decide his fate and, with the likelihood of a strong pace ensuing, it has to be debatable whether he will truly get home. Therefore, we prefer the claims held by Factor Fifteen, who has faced some classy opponents in since he switched to hurdles and his form figures do not tell the whole story. The five-year-old had some fairly useful types in behind him when he tried this trip for the first time at Hexham in October. Admittedly he was well and truly put in his place by the winner on that occasion, but, as he faces nothing with the potential of Knowhere today, this appears to be a good opportunity for Factor Fifteen to finally get off the mark over hurdles.
