in touch, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on from 2 out, no impression
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and blundered next, drew clear from last
held up, headway 4 out, ridden approaching next, soon weakened
led, headed 3rd, behind from 4 out
tracked leader, led 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, soon headed, weakened flat
held up in rear, ridden after 4 out, kept on approaching last
tracked leaders, hit 2nd, behind from 4 out
Epitre, a Group 2 winner on the flat in France when trained by Andre Fabre, is an interesting participant on his British and hurdling debut. However, the six-year-old faces a stiff task against more experienced hurdlers. Among them, The French Furze is a useful yardstick and has lost no caste in defeat behind Intersky Falcon and Rooster Booster in his last two starts. This looks just as difficult for the Nicky Richards-trained gelding though and he may have to settle for a minor role again. Martin Pipe's Ilnamar showed progressive form last term which ended with wins in the Coral Eurobet Cup and the Martell Aintree Hurdle. On that evidence, the son of Officiel looks the one to beat and, while an absence since his victory at Liverpool should not be a problem as Pipe can produce his runners fit first time up, we would rather side with the upcoming Flame Creek. Noel Chance's gelding has progressed with each run and is now considered a potential Champion Hurdle horse by connections. The ground is ideal and, with further improvement to come, he gets the vote.
