chased clear leader, slowed from 4 out, every chance when mistake 3 out, chased leader until weakened between last 2
held up in rear, headway from 5th, led 3 out, headed between last 2, 2 lengths down last, rallied flat, just failed
held up, staying on in close 5th when fell 3 out
prominent in chasing group, headway 4 out, challenged 2 out, led between last 2, driven and held on gamely flat, all out
held up, headway 5th, mistake 4 out, in touch when mistake and hampered 3 out, pulled up quickly before next and dismounted lame
prominent in chasing group, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
behind from 4th, tailed off 4 out
led and soon well clear, came back to field 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened 2 out
always in rear, mistake and lost touch 5th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
A very interesting novices' hurdle to start the card and we like the look Kandjar d'Allier, Acami, Court Shareef and Champagne Harry, with Acamani narrowly getting the vote. Looking at the field. Kandjar d'Allier is having his first run since coming over from France where he was a three-time winner at Auteuil on soft going at distances up to two-and-three-quarter miles. He certainly will not lack for experience. Edition Francaise is also French bred but has yet to see the racecourse. Trained by Paul Nicholls, he is owned by Sir Robert Ogden, who tends to buy horses with chasing in mind. Unless the market tells a big story to the contrary, he looks worth opposing on his debut. Further interest is added to the race by virtue of German trainer Christian von der Recke sending Acamani across for the race. The trainer's record in Britain is excellent so it would be foolish to disregard this dual Flat winner on his British hurdling debut, particularly given that he has hurdling experience. Mantilla graduated from two selling hurdle wins to land a Wetherby seller on her latest run. Much as Willie Worthington takes seven pounds off her back, she does not quite look good enough to get the nomination here. Wintertide is held by Court Shareef on Worcester form last month. Court Shareef looked very good when winning that day and looks set to run a big race here. Champagne Harry has had a very good season, winning four of his six races. The first of these came at Hereford in May when he defeated Court Shareef by a length and a quarter at level weights. The difference between them today is Wayne Hutchinson's three-pound claim on Court Shareef. Overall, then, in what, as we say, is a fascinating race, we'll side with Christian von der Recke's Acamani.
