held up, behind from 5th
mid-division, ridden and weakened 6th
held up, headway approaching 5th, weakened after next
chased leaders to after 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, one pace
led, clear after 3rd, headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next
chased leaders to 6th
always behind, tailed off from 6th
mistake and unseated rider 2nd
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, led approaching 2 out, clear last, ran on
prominent, every chance when not fluent 3 out, weakened next
held up and took key hold, headway after 6th, no impression
prominent until after 6th, beaten when mistake 2 out
There can be no doubting that Ile Michel has not progressed as expected since joining Martin Pipe but he has shown enough ability over hurdles to take a race of this nature in his stride if he runs up to his best today, and he gets the vote. The likes of Inigo Jones, Sigwell's Club Boy and I Tina head the list of dangers out of the remainder and are expected to provide the main body of the opposition. However, Ile Michel, who was claimed for ¿21,000 at York last season, takes a significant drop in grade today and has been found the ideal opening to boost his confidence. The son of Machiavellian put in an eye-catching performance when chasing home Fleet Street on his debut over hurdles last October but was subsequently held in better company in his next three starts. This looks a much easier opening and it will be surprising if the mount of Tony McCoy cannot confirm the promise of his earlier run. I Tina was well held last time and does not look the most straightforward of rides, so Inigo Jones may be the one to give the selection the most to do, providing he is fit enough on his first run since March. Any moves for Florenzar for place-money will be interesting for those keen to go against Ile Michel today, but really the latter is hard to oppose.
