in touch, chased winner approaching 3 out until before 2 out, soon beaten
held up in rear, took keen hold, jumped slowly 3rd, jumped left next, headway soon after, jumped right 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, no impression
mid-division, pushed along approaching 2nd, went modest 4th when mistake 2 out, mistake last, never dangerous
chased leader, not fluent 2nd, led approaching 3rd, headed next, weakened approaching 3 out, mistake last
chased leaders, pushed along after 2nd, weakening when not fluent 3 out
in touch, challenged 2nd, led 4th, not fluent 3 out or 2 out, shaken up flat, comfortably
towards rear, headway approaching 4th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 2nd, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
led until approaching 3rd, weakened 4th, tailed off
ROYAL CHARM sets a high standard and is fancied to see off Four Strong Winds, Wine 'N Dine and General Kutuzov. The selection has by far the strongest hurdling form of those to have jumped a hurdle in public. Bought from France following a second in a Listed Hurdle in Auteuil, he was then second to According To Dick at Sandown on his UK bow. That turned out to be one of the strongest novices' races of the season and this 137-rated gelding should win this if anywhere near fit. Former point-to-point winner Shaking Hands has not shown too much in two runs over hurdles; he is by an up-and-coming sire however and there may be more to come as he gets older. Wine 'N Dine has a different profile, coming here from the flat where he was rated in the high 80's. Formerly with Gary Moore, this talented gelding cannot be underestimated after a five month break. Robo ran well behind Rebel Du Maquis at the track last time out and that stablemate of the selection looks very classy, Four Strong Winds shaped with promise in an Ascot bumper and looks as if he will appreciate a stamina test in time, whilst General Kutuzov makes his hurdling debut this afternoon having run well in three quality bumpers last season. At a price Mysortofman could run into a place, however it is the talented Royal Charm who really should reign supreme.
Four Strong Winds (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, plugged on final 2f, no chance, 6th of 9, 29l behind Vino Griego (10-8) at Ascot 2m NH flat (3) hvy in Feb.
General Kutuzov (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Soon chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 13, 17l behind Recif De Thaix (10-7) at Sandown 2m NH flat (5) gs in Feb.
Mysortofman 25-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, stayed on final 2f, never going pace to trouble leaders, 7th of 15, 9l behind Get Me Out Of Here (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gs in May.
Power Pack Jack (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Towards rear, pushed along after 3rd, hit next, never dangerous, 11th of 14, well behind Carrolls Cross (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Robo (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, chased winner approaching 3 out, no impression 2 out, 2nd of 16, 17l behind Rebel Du Maquis (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Royal Charm (FR) 11-10fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led approaching 2 out, headed 2 out, one pace before last, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind According To Dick (11-2) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Shaking Hands (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Always behind, ridden and struggling 4 out, tailed, 8th of 9, well behind Mr Gardner (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (3) gd in Mar.
Wine 'n Dine 33-1 (9-0) Mid-division until weakened 2f out, 12th of 13, 14l behind Red Merlin (8-13) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in May (flat).
Canshebemine 66-1 (10-2) Held up in touch, weakened 3 out, 8th of 14, well behind Carrolls Cross (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sep.
Uig 250-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders and keen, lost place 4th, behind when Pulled Up, in a race won by De Soto (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gs in Dec '06, 14 ran.
