tracked leader, led after 2 out, driven out flat
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, every chance approaching last, kept on same pace run in
held up in rear, smooth headway approaching 2 out, every chance approaching last, onepaced flat
held up in touch, headway 4 out, effort next, weakened 2 out
in touch, lost place 7th, soon behind
pulled hard, led, jumped right from halfway, headed after 2 out, weakened quickly
tracked leaders, pushed along and lost place 4 out, soon outpaced
Batswing is given the narrow vote ahead of Moon Glow, Caitriona's Choice and the luckless Fiori. Brian Ellison's charge will have a job in giving weight away to some smart rivals but Jamie Moore looks an able rider to have in the saddle. It is certainly true that this surface will probably be the quickest he has ever faced over fences although he was capable of winning on firm ground on the Flat and does possess excellent hurdling speed. Fiori would have preferred a little bit of cut in the ground. He possesses clear talent and if given a positive ride, he does seem to make fewer mistakes. Sadly, his mistakes in the past have tended to be bad ones and we will watch him against this level of opposition. Caitriona's Choice looks to be enjoying something of an Indian summer at the age of twelve. He goes particularly well for Wilson Renwick although Tom Doyle is a more than able deputy. There was no fluke about Moon Glow's recent Newton Abbot victory. The time was quick and the horse likes the fast ground. He is no forlorn hope in this better grade. Taakid is something of a Southwell specialist. However, he has not appear to have transferred that ability to Hexham and looks one to oppose.
