not fluent 2nd, always towards rear
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden and not much room after 3 out one pace from next
keen, mid-division, headway 3rd, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, weakened flat
in touch, ridden and lost place after 4th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
behind, kept on from 2 out, never dangerous
led, ridden and headed briefly last, ran on
mid-division, ridden 5th, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on flat, not reached leaders
tracked winner, pecked 5th, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, headway after 5th, ridden to lead briefly last, one pace flat
always towards rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden 3 out, kept on flat
Race tactics for the 2004 Smurfit Champion Hurdle have been kept close to the chest in the build up to the main event for day-one of the Festival - as it is no secret that Rooster Booster will be best suited by a furious pace if he is to retain his crown today. However he faces no easy task this time around as the likes of Rigmarole, Intersky Falcon and the admirable Geos have all led him home during the course of this season. Throw into the mix the relatively unknown quantity of the Australian-bred Specular and the improving Limerick Boy and the picture clouds further as nothing really stands out as a reliable candidate to tow them along in the early stages. Westender, a twelve-length runner up to Rooster Booster last year, has been mentioned as a possible for role as the race unfolds and it will be no surprise to see Tony McCoy make a move with the eight-year-old at or near the half-way stage of proceedings. However, he has a little to find on the form of the Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury and may be there for the taking when stamina becomes an issue. Therefore, the champion jockey may have to wait for another year before he can claim to have ridden his second winner of this most prestigious contest. It will also be dangerous to dismiss the form of the Irish equivalent of this race as Foreman put in a hugely improved display when accounting for the likes of Fota Island and Davenport Milenium at Leopardstown. The former was unfortunate to make a hash of the final obstacle on that occasion and his trainer is confident that his charge can go close to reversing the form with a clear round here. Golden Cross, who was the highest-rated juvenile hurdler in Ireland last year, should also be given plenty of respect as he has already won at Grade 1 level since his gallant third in last season's JCB Triumph Hurdle. The Michael Halford-trained gelding could easily be the surprise package of the race and, like Geos, it will be very interesting to see how much support he comes in for on the day. However, realistically he has to improve a great deal to get the better of the likely main protagonists and the shortlist for win only purposes is narrowed down to Rooster Booster, Rigmarole and Intersky Falcon. Starting with the last-named: Jonjo O'Neill's charge is adaptable regarding his style of running and has already proved that he is capable of playing a strong hand at the highest level. However, he was below par in this race last season and as that was his only previous start at the track, he has too many questions to answer. Rigmarole, on the other hand, has done nothing but improve all season and has barely come off the bridle in his last three outings. The Paul Nicholls-trained six-year-old has no doubts about his ability to handle the course and can quicken his stride whatever the tempo of the race appears to be. Therefore, using his easy defeat of Rooster Booster in the Bula Hurdle as the best form available, Rigmarole can break Paul Nicholls' hoodoo about his hurdlers in Cheltenham's biggest prize in this sphere of racing.
