held up towards rear, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, ran on from 2 out, led after last, pushed out
slowly away, always behind, no impression
prominent, ridden 3 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out
mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, ridden 5th, stayed on one pace
prominent, weaken 5th, tailed off and refused 2 out
mid-division, ridden 3 out, ran on well from 2 out, went 3rd close home
held up in mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden after 5th, weakened after 3 out
in touch, headway 3 out, ridden and led before 2 out, headed after last, not pace of winner
pulled hard, led and hung badly left bend after 1st, ran out 2nd
This is not a bad seller and in it we'll nominate Noble Calling ahead of Fruit Defendu, Devote, Golfagent and Jim Lad. The selection is a three-time winner on the Flat and drops to selling company for the first time over hurdles. He looks to be a leading player here, particularly based on his third to Cheltenham-bound Albuhera here three runs ago. Golfagent, a winner from a mark of 96 at Uttoxeter in April, is pretty consistent and has to be competitive at this level. Devote is a course winner from 98 two years ago and has been running well at this level. Fruit Defendu was very highly-regarded in Ireland before injury curtailed his progress. Now with Paul Nicholls, he made a very pleasing reappearance at Hereford last time and remains competitive here. Pierre du Forez won in France in 2001 but has made no show so far in three runs for Martin Pipe. Ressource has yet to win a race but his overall form gives him place claims again. Jim Lad is another to be dropping to selling company for the first time over hurdles and a repeat of his second in a Chepstow claimer last time gives him chances. If you base things purely on ratings then Sigwells Club Boy has to be considered but he hasn't won since his two-year-old days. As we say, it's a good race of its kind and one in which we like the look of Noble Calling.
