took keen hold, held up, headway after 5th, weakened 3 out, pulled up approaching 2 out
held up, ridden and weakened after 6th
held up, smooth headway 6th, tracked leader going well after 3 out, led and hit 2 out, soon headed, mistake last, hung left and not run on flat
prominent, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten
behind, no chance when hung right 6th
led, narrowly headed 2 out, rallied and soon led, driven and ran on well flat
always behind, lost touch 5th, tailed off when blundered last
in mid-division, weakening when pecked 5th
behind, headway under pressure from 6th, never going pace to reach leaders
prominent, jumped slowly 3rd, behind from 6th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
La Dolfina can break her duck over hurdles although Golano, Nuit Sombre and Chockdee have to be given consideration in this maiden. La Dolfina came to grief on her first start but the trainer was pretty bullish about her in the racing press earlier in the week and this represents an obvious chance of compensation. Golano actually finished a well-held fifth in the race and should be watched in the market in case of any positive movement. Nuit Sombre was a fair miler on the flat for Mark Johnston. He used to force the pace on the flat so it will be interesting to see what tactics Mick Fitzgerald will use today. Followers of the Henderson team will remember that he introduced Fleet Street to win this prize just twelve months ago. Chockdee is obviously the benchmark for all of these having competed in better grade. Paul Nicholls' horses dont look to be quite firing at the moment and he is reluctantly opposed. Theprideofeireann was among one of the first beaten in her first British bumper in spite of huge market confidence. He was something of a talking horse in Ireland and now very much has to cough up some answers. San Antonio lost his way for Barry Hills and is now with Pam Sly. The fact that this is an unfashionable stable should not be worried about as his price will be somewhat bigger than it ought to. Queen Soraya was a useful bumper horse last term but could be vulnerable to a speedy flat recruit over this trip. An informative race in which La Dolfina is tentatively selected.
