mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
tailed off approaching 3rd, pulled up before last
in touch, some headway approahing 3 out, held in 3rd place when fell 2 out
prominent, tracking leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out
tracked leader from 3rd, led 2 out, pushed clear approaching last, weakened flat
in rear, well behind when fell 3 out
tracked leaders until weakened after 3 out
towards rear, hampered 4th, some headway after 3 out, same pace from 2 out
in touch, some headway to chase clear leaders from 3 out. went 3rd last
held up, keen in rear, ridden and weakened after 3 out
Locksmith gets the call here ahead of Classify and El Vaquero. The selection absolutely bolted up at Fontwell last time and, in a race that lacks any real strength in depth, looks to hold a solid chance of being another winner for the Pipe-McCoy team. Classify has run with credit in two West-country bumpers and, hailing from the Paul Nicholls stable, looks an obvious candidate here. El Vaquero has the advantage of hurdling experience, in which he has shown a good deal of promise, although this trip and track is probably not exactly ideal for him. However, it's a run-of-the-mill event and a track at which his trainer does well so he too has to be on the shortlist. Lotier is held by El Vaquero on Stratford form in December. Of the others, Stewart's Lad should fare better back at this trip and, at his best, is entitled to be considered. Starlight Express showed a lot of promise on her bumper debut but ran disappointingly next time. Now making her hurdling debut, she could go well for her canny stable, while Kim Fontenail put up a best-yet performance when third over course and distance last time. Brooksy Dove is by Champion Hurdler Alderbrook from a family that the Price family does well with. However, overall, for us it's Locksmith who holds the key to the race.
