held up in touch, headway 6th, ridden 2 out, stayed on one pace
pushed along after 5th, always behind
in touch, not fluent 2nd, chased leader briefly 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up, headway when mistake 3 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on
held up, never near leaders
always prominent, ridden after 2 out, stayed on one pace flat
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, slightly outpaced before 2 out, rallied approaching last, kept on
held up, pushed along after 6th, stayed on approaching last, never dangerous
chased leader to 2nd, prominent, weakened after 3 out, no danger when not fluent 2 out
raced on outside, mid-division, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd last, stayed on strongly under pressure final 150 yds, led post
in touch until weakened approaching 7th
held up, ridden and struggling approaching 3 out
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, no extra approaching last
chased leader 2nd, led 7th, ridden approaching last, kept on running, headed post
led, headed 7th, still ever chance just before 2 out, no extra when hit last
held up, stayed on approaching last, not trouble leaders
Some interesting contenders here including Red Ruffles, Billyvoddan and King Revo but the vote goes to Team Tassel, who is taken to overcome his inexperience. The selection, who had finished third in his sole start in a point-to-point in Ireland, made a winning start to his hurdling career in this country when running out the convincing inner of a novices' event at Market Rasen in April. Martin Pipe's gelding looks to be potentially well treated judged by that effort and is taken to make a winning start in handicaps. Top weight King Revo had a good season as a novice last term but faces no easy task under 11st 12lb on his reappearance. Noel Chance has his string in good form at present and his representative Red Ruffles ran well over course and distance last month when chasing home The Dark Lord. A 4lb rise since then leaves him with more to do but the gelding still makes more appeal than recent Towcester winner Jonanaud, who would probably prefer a softer surface. The Philip Hobbs-trained Croix de Guerre has his favoured conditions and is another worthy of a mention off what looks a nice racing weight, while Billyvoddan represents the yard of Henry Daly that is beginning to hit form. Irish runners at this meeting always warrant respect so the likes of Well Presented and Blue Away are others worthy of a mention but Team Tassel is unexposed and is taken to give Martin Pipe another winner at the Open meeting.
