held up, not fluent 5th, behind from 4 out
led, hit third, headed after 7th, close 4th when ridden and mistake 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden and every chance 2 out, soon one pace
held up, headway approaching 6th, chased leader to 4 out, led briefly until hit 3 out, 4th and weakening when fell 2 out
prominent until weakening approaching 3 out
very keen and held up in rear, smooth headway on inside approaching 4 out, led on bit 3 out, clear last easily
keen in rear, mistake 4 out, never nearer
held up, headway to lead after 7th, headed 4 out, weakened after 2 out
chased leader until approaching 5th, weakened 7th
Hawk's Landing failed to convince with his jumping in three starts over fences last term and makes his return over hurdles off what looks a stiff mark so preference is for Croix de Guerre, who gets the vote over Avas Delight. The last mentioned showed a consistent level of form in similar races last term and is entitled to be thereabouts if fit enough for his reappearance. Jonanaud had a successful season last term but has paid the penalty at the hands of the handicapper as a result and of more interest may be Colin Tinkler's Bob Ar Aghaidh, particularly if the market speaks in his favour. Spring Pursuit ran with credit behind Barneys Lyric on Saturday and is turned out again quickly. He is another worthy of a mention along with the Evan Williams-trained Koumba who has gone up 12lbs for his win at Stratford last time. Jim Old's Attorney General would have claims if fully wound up for his reappearance and has to be respected but the vote goes to Croix de Guerre. There are no fitness doubts for the Philip Hobbs-trained gelding who was a dual novice hurdle winner during the summer and should be suited by the return to this trip having been outpaced over shorter last time.
