tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, chased winner next until weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, led soon after 4th, clear after 2 out, shaken up flat, comfortably
with leader until awkward and stumbled badly 4th, ridden to chase winner after 3 out until next, weakened before last
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
led until slightly hampered 4th, tracked winner, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
held up, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on after 2 out, went 3rd last
held up, hit 1st, not fluent 4th, headway 2 out, soon hung right and ridden, stayed on to go 2nd when mistake last, no chance with winner
TORPHICHEN is nominated here ahead of Tasheba. David Pipe's gelding was not disgraced in ninth place in the Supreme Novices' here at the Festival where a late blunder put paid to any place hopes. This is a big drop in class for this unexposed gelding and assuming that he copes with this quicker ground then he should take all the beating. Always Bold has put in three consistent efforts over hurdles since moving from Mark Johnston's yard. He was rated in the 80's on the level but so far his hurdling form has not quite lived up to expectations. Mountaineer has been off the track for two months but his form (especially his run behind Zaynar on debut) reads well and he looks an exciting prospect. Rory Boy and Balzaccio both have plenty to find on official ratings with the selection, and under their penalties they might struggle. Of more interest is Tasheba who won as he liked at Ascot. He drops in trip here but it is a step up in class and this decent flat horse will need to prove that he is up to it. Torphichen has proven that he is and David Pipe's gelding is nominated accordingly.
Balzaccio (FR) 16-1 (10-3) Held up, raced keenly, mistake 2nd, hit 3rd, always towards rear, 19th of 22, 47l behind Silk Affair (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m Grade 3 nov hcp hdl (4yo) (1) gs in Mar.
Tasheba 4-9fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th to before 4 out, regained 2nd 3 out, led on outer 2 out, clear between last 2, eased flat, won at Ascot 2m 3f mdn hdl (3) gd in Mar beating Dover's Hill (11-1) by 6l, 6 ran.
Torphichen 7-1 (10-13) In touch, not fluent 4th, ridden after 2 out, weakened last, 9th of 20, 16l behind Go Native (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Rory Boy (USA) 10-3 (10-10) Chased leader, led well before 2 out, ridden and about 1 length ahead approaching last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Higgy's Boy (11-9) at Ascot 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Mar.
Always Bold (IRE) 11-10fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, led 7th, ridden when stumbled 2 out, 4 lengths clear last, caught near finish, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Key Cutter (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Anfield Road 40-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 11th of 15, 33l behind Simarian (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m Grade 2 juv nov hdl (1) sft in Nov.
Mountaineer (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, hit 4 out, ridden approaching next, soon outpaced, hit 2 out, 4th of 6, 8l behind Stow (11-3) at Haydock 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) sft in Feb.
