chased leaders, ridden and losing place when blundered 6th, well behind from next, tailed off
held up in rear, some headway after 3 out, weakened after next
took keen hold and held up in rear, mistake 3rd, tailed off from 6th, blundered 2 out
chased leaders, mistake 6th, mistake 2 out, went poor 2nd and blundered last
mistake 2nd, tracked leaders from 3rd, chased winner from 6th, no impression when hit next and 2 out, lost poor 2nd last
led after 1st, headed 4th, weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always in rear, tailed off when pulled up after 5th
in touch, weakened after 5th, tailed off when blundered next, pulled up before 2 out
not jump well, always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Croix de Guerre, Locksmith and Alchemystic are the three to concentrate on here and we will take a chance on Locksmith. The gelding from the Martin Pipe yard finished fourth behind Secret Ploy in a National Hunt flat race at Cheltenham last time out. He raced too keenly on that day and is sure to have been well schooled for this his hurdling debut. The selection should have the beating of Alchemystic as the Pipe team will have a form line on this 4-year-old, as he beat the Pipe horse Calamintha last time out. He is a course and distance winner and has to be respected, but Locksmith could have his measure today. Croix De Guerre showed a good deal of promise on his hurdling debut when a well beaten second behind Trouble at Bay at Wincanton last time. He is sure to come on for that run but may have to settle for place money. The rest will have to improve to trouble the principles, so we are happy to return to Locksmith as our idea of the likely winner.
