tracked leaders, front rank and going well when pulled up after 3 out, dismounted
mid-division, headway 8th, ridden and switched left and slightly hampered 2 out, switched right to chase leaders approaching 2 out, ran to chase winner, flat
held up rear, headway 8th, stayed on but not troubled leaders
in touch and mistake 1st, not fluent 6th, ridden and weakened 3 out
led, soon clear, jumped right 4th, mistake 6th, headed after 7th and pulled up
towards rear, some headway after 4 out
tracked clear winner, left in lead 8th, headed approaching next and weakened
always towards rear
held up mid-division, headway 8th, every chance 2 out, ridden and weakening when mistake last
in touch, weakened 7th, behind when pulled up 3 out
held up mid-division, mistake 1st, headway 6th, led approaching 3 out, ridden approaching last and edged right, flat
held up rear, ridden 4 out, no impression
Alan King's runners have been going in of late and Salsalino looks capable of giving him another winner, with Jackie Boy and Thisisyourlife others to consider. Salsalino has to give weight away all around and despite being a beaten odds-on favourite at Huntingdon last time out, that was a better contest than this and a reproduction of that form would be good enough for him here. Jackie Boy is by Lord Americo and should therefore appreciate a bit of cut for his hurdling debut, after winning one bumper and finishing a distant runner-up in another. That most recent outing will have put him straight for this though, and he looks likely to improve for tackling obstacles and can make an impression. Thisisyourlife showed up well on his seasonal reappearance at Kempton where he relished the cut. Trip and ground will suit here and with plenty of scope for improvement he too can make the frame. But Salsalino has the Flat speed here and with slightly better jumping he should be too good.
