led after 1st until 7th, led briefly approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
towards rear, reminders 3rd, headway approaching 5th, jumped badly left next, ridden after 8th, weakened
in touch until fell 2nd
led until after 1st, chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, one paced
behind from 5th, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders until weakened after 7th
held up, headway and slipped after 5th, ridden after 8th, behind when brought down 2 out
held up in touch, led 7th, briefly headed after 8th, led 3 out, stayed on well
mid-division, hampered 2nd and 6th, soon weakened, behind and pulled up before 3 out
held up mid-division, headway 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
in touch, headway after 4th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
chased leaders until 5th, soon behind, pulled up before 8th
held up, headway after 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, staying on but held when fell 2 out
Satshoon has been equipping himself reasonably well in better company over fences of late and is taken to make a winning return to hurdling at the main expense of Act In Time and Blue Derby. The selection hails from the in-form stable of Paul Nicholls, who has had notable success over the last 12 months by switching horses who have been struggling to get their heads in front over the larger obstacles back over timber. Satshoon ran off a mark of 132 on his most recent start over fences at Sandown last month and, if translating anything like that ability back over the smaller obstacles, should be too good for his rivals here. Admittedly the son of Satco could manage only fourth behind stable companion Howdydoody in a novice hurdle over three miles at Taunton in January but a reproduction of that form may suffice. With Tom George's string in such good form, Act In Time, another chaser going back over hurdles, has to be respected along with bumper winner Blue Derby. The Philip Hobbs-trained gelding is less exposed than most of these and is open to improvement but we take the class of Satshoon to shine through.
