led and soon well clear, weakened and headed 2 out, soon eased when no chance
held up in rear and well off the pace, mistake 3rd, effort after 3 out, one pace and held when mistake next
held up and well off the pace, closed up from 5th, cruised up to lead last, quickened clear flat
took keen hold and held up well off the pace, mistake 3rd, closed up from 5th, went 3rd after 3 out, effort under pressure to go 2nd flat, kept on but no impression winner
tracked clear leader, closed up from 5th, ridden to lead 2 out, headed last, one pace and lost 2nd flat
raced in 3rd and well off the pace, closed up from 5th, weakened before next
The much-improved Rigmarole is an interesting contender, as is French raider Foreman, who won a novice here last year, but this should boil down to a match between last years Champion hurdler Rooster Booster and last years Christmas Hurdle winner Intersky Falcon, who gets the vote. Jonjo O'Neill's six-year-old is always likely to be at his best on a sharp, flat track such as this and certainly turned in his best effort last year when beating Santenay in this contest. Given a break after winning this last year, his next appearance was in the Champion Hurdle where he failed to give his true running (probably went too fast for his own good). However, although he was disappointing in the Fighting Fifth last month (a race he had won previously), he is taken to bounce back here at the expense of Rooster Booster, who was somewhat disappointing on his return to action at Cheltenham earlier this month, form of which leaves him something to find with Rigmarole, but they went no gallop that day, and with the latter race fit having been on the go since May, Rooster Booster looks likely to turn the form around, with that run under his belt. Rigmarole has been a revelation this year winning an ordinary handicap hurdle back in August off a mark of 122. Now rated 158 his days in handicaps are over and while he is still probably on the upgrade, more is required to win this. Stablemate Sporazene faces a stiff task against his elders, but he is a horse of some promise and must not be underestimated. Foreman will surely find this trip around such a sharp track an insufficient test and would only be of interest if the heavens opened, while Ulundi and Brooklyn's Gold will ensure their owners have a nice day out, watching the King George. But even though Rooster Booster will be a tough nut to crack, we prefer Intersky Falcon around these turns.
