prominent, led after 7th, hard ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
not fluent, always behind
mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened last
led, ridden and headed after 7th, weakened quickly
held up, headway 6th, every chance from 2 out, ridden approaching last, edged left and not quickened flat
always behind, tailed off from 3 out
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 7th
mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway approaching 3rd, ridden approaching next, soon weakened, beaten when blundered and unseated rider last
in touch to 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
prominent to 3 out, weakened quickly
in touch, led approaching 2 out, ridden and hung left approaching last, ran on
tracked leaders, ridden and not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
A very interesting opener which could go the way of Global Challenge with Limerick Leader and Ilabon put forward as big dangers. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding was rated in the high nineties on the flat when contesting some top handicaps, and made a very pleasing hurdling debut when third to Salhood over an inadequate trip. Today's extra distance should bring out vast improvement in this son of Saddlers Wells and he is a confident selection. Limerick Leader only beat modest opposition at Perth in the autumn but hasn't been disgraced in better company since then and looks the main challenger. Ilabon is Martin Pipe's representative and is making his seasonal debut after two promising efforts in defeat last season. In his latest race at Newbury in March he made Pep Galvez pull out all the stops, form that appears quite strong in the context of this event. Olivier hails from an in-form yard and is worth a look in the betting but Global Challenge could be a class act and is taken to land the spoils.
