tracked leading pair, reminders and lost place 4th, soon weakened, pulled up after next
made all, hard pressed when hit 2 out and last, ridden and kept on flat
held up, reminders 2nd, struggling after next, tailed off when mistake 3 out
held up in touch, headway to track leading pair after 4th, outpaced 2 out, no impression when hit last
held up, outpaced 4th, soon beaten, tailed off from 3 out
tracked winner, ridden to challenge approaching 2 out, every chance between last 2, switched left and one pace approaching last, no extra
This looks a golden opportunity for John Dillon who is given the confident vote over Akiyama and Into Action. The selection looks like he could have a decent future over hurdles and he finished well clear of the rest of the field when chasing home Smugglers Bay at Aintree last time. He sets the benchmark for the rest here and he should prove tough to beat. His chief rival could be the Howard Johnson trained Akiyama. This three-year-old has shown flashes of form on the level and he is sure to have been well-schooled for this his hurdling debut. He is worth noting in the market, although he will need to put in a big performance on his hurdling debut to get the better of our selection. Strobe is another newcomer over timber and a market move for him would be of interest. Into Action has showed a fair level of form over hurdles and he is still open to further improvement, so he is not entirely without hope. However, it will be a surprise if John Dillon does not win this and he is the confident pick.
Akiyama (IRE) 9-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 14, 10l behind Drink To Me Only (9-1) at Musselburgh 1m hcap (6) gd in Jul (Flat).
John Dillon (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (11-0) Prominent, led 4 out, blundered and headed 2 out, no extra, 2nd of 15, 7l behind Smugglers Bay (11-0) at Aintree 2m 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Malguru 100-1 (10-12) Towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 13, well behind Mr Crystal (11-5) at Kelso 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Nota Liberata 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching 6th, ridden after 2 out, headed last, no extra flat, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Torba (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Rain And Shade 14-1 (8-10) Dwelt and towards rear, never a factor, last of 8, well behind Sonara (8-4) at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gf in May (Flat).
Strobe 11-2 (9-4) Led 2f, remained close up, ridden 4f out, weakened approaching 2f out, last of 7, 10l behind Shine And Rise (9-4) at Nottingham 2m 3yo hcp (4) gf in Oct (Flat).
Cinaman (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, struggling from 5th, 6th of 11, 28l behind Callisto Moon (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Into Action 33-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, blundered 3 out, soon behind, 7th of 13, 41l behind Guardian of Truth (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Oct.
