with leader, ridden 5th, weakened 2 out, pulled up flat (lame)
led and set good pace, headed, weakened approaching 4 out
tracked leaders, led approaching 4 out, headed mistake 3 out, not recover
always in the rear
held up, headway after 4th, disputed lead last, ridden out
mid-division, headway after 4th, led 3 out, hit 2 out, narrowly headed when pecked last and weakened flat
tracked leaders, switched right approaching 3 out, disputed lead last, led soon after, headed, no extra close home
mid-division, lost place 4th, effort 3 out, held when hampered after last
held up, headway approaching 5th, ridden 3 out, one pace from last
Made In Japan has only won one race since taking the Triumph Hurdle three years ago and looks best left out of calculations again in a race where a chance is taken on Wise Owl, who gets the vote over Bureaucrat. The last mentioned reverts to hurdles after a disappointing run over the larger obstacles last time and has to be respected on ground that suits, although he may still be a shade high in the weights. Hawadeth is capable but the 12-year-old does not win very often and may find one or two of these too speedy for him. Cottingham deserves to get his head in front following a run of second places but may again have to settle for a minor role, while Adjami may do better back on a faster surface today but is hard to recommend on recent evidence. The vote then goes to Wise Owl who has only had three starts over hurdles but the 80-rated flat recruit has his favoured ground for the first time today and he looks worth chancing off what seems a fair mark.
