led and pulled hard, headed 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, went 2nd approaching last, kept on, no chance with winner
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, lost place halfway
tracked leader, hit 1st, every chance 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out
held up towards rear, effort afetr3 out, one pace and no impression from next
held up towards rear, headway halfway, challenged 3 out, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off approaching 3 out, pulled up before last
held up in touch, ridden and weakening when hit 3 out, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, led on bit 3 out, shaken up approaching last, soon clear, eased towards finish
An interesting way to open the card and it may pay to side with the in-form Venetia Williams yard, who send out hurdles debutante Darkside and this former useful stayer on the flat in France gets the nod over the exposed Into The Shadows and Joshuas Boy, who make the most appeal out of the rest. The selection comes here after a long absence but, considering the form of runners from his stable, that will not be a problem if Ms Williams has him anywhere near the level of fitness shown by her runners earlier this week. Darkside, whose dam is from the family of champion middle distance performer Dahlia, holds an interesting mix of speed and stamina in his pedigree and it will be very interesting to note how he takes to this game. He handles a fair bit of give when he raced in France and can represent good value today. Into The Shadows, herself useful on the level, was let down for her supporters when she made her hurdles debut at Newcastle last month, but in truth was not disgraced in finishing third in a race that may not have been run to suit her style. A stronger pace will bring about further improvement and a watching brief on the betting is advised. Joshuas Boy was moderate on the flat and, for all intents and purposes, was expected to struggle in this sphere of racing. Therefore, it came as something of a surprise when he ran a blinder at Wetherby last month. However, it is a little risky to just suppose that he will repeat the effort this afternoon and others make more appeal. None more so than Darkside, who is selected as much because of his sable's form as he is for the amount of scope he has for the hurdles game.
