held up in touch, ridden and effort between last 2, took modest 3rd last
made all, hard ridden before last, held on well flat
mistake 1st, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
took keen hold, held up in rear, ridden and struggling from 2 out
held up in rear, ridden and struggling before 2 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
always behind, mistake 4th, struggling before 2 out, tailed off and pulled up before last
in touch, mistake and weakened 2 out
raced keenly, chased winner, mistake 5th, lost 2nd next, weakened rapidly
prominent, mistake 3rd, chased winner 6th, mistake next, under pressure and weakened well before last
chased leaders, tracked leading pair between last two, chased winner well before last, not fluent, strong challenege flat, always just held
It will be a surprise if Flying Patriarch is not good enough to take this and he gets the vote at the main expense of Moldavia and Ma Yahab. The selection was the subject of a big gamble when narrowly beaten into second place by It's Blue Chip at Plumpton. If he can reproduce that effort here then he will take plenty of beating. Moldavia is interesting on her hurdling debut as she showed a fair level of form in Germany before winning on her UK debut at Southwell when beating Garrigon. She is sure to have been well-schooled for her hurdling bow and she will be of serious interest if the market speaks in her favour. Similar comments would apply to Ma Yahab, but this colt from the Venetia Williams yard may just need the run here after being off the track since September. Marsh Orchid is the other with a solid each-way chance, but we will stick with Flying Patriach as our idea of the winner.
