in touch, mistake 5th, ridden to chase leading pair 2 out, weakened before last
led to 6th, weakened rapidly before next, tailed off
took keen hold, held up, jumped right first, soon prominent, ridden and stayed on same pace before last
soon tracked leader, led 6th to 2 out, disputing 2nd last, no extra and lost 2nd final 100 yards
held up in touch, headway under pressure after 2 out, disputing 2nd last, went 2nd final 100 yards, no chance with winner
behind, pushed along 2nd, lost touch 5th, mistake next, tailed off
close up, led 2 out, in command before last, clear last, easily
raced keenly, chased leaders to 5th, weakened quickly tailed off
not jumped well, held up in rear, ridden 3rd, mistake next, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
pulled hard, held up until chased leader after 2nd, weakened and behind from 4th, tailed off
In the opener, the shortlist consists of Biscar Two, Flying Patriarch and Young Patriarch, with the vote going to Flying Patriarch. Biscar Two has run well on all three hurdling starts to date. He ran a curious race last time when he tailed off before flying up the home straight and would have won in a few more strides. If he stays fully focussed today he should go well. Flying Patriarch's third to the high-class juvenile novice Cerium on his Kempton debut makes him the one to beat formwise. Hold The Line was ahead of Arkholme at Huntingdon last time but behind Young Patriarch, who holds them both on the basis of that form. From a canny stable, Pangloss is one to watch for in the betting. Overall, though, we will stick with Flying Patriarch.
