chased leader, ridden after 5th, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway on bit final fence, led on bit well before last, pushed out
prominent, led 5th, ridden and headed final bend, soon weakened, fell last
prominent, ridden before final bend, one pace
held up in mid-division, ridden and headway before final bend, soon challenged, every chance approaching last, stayed on but not match winner
mid-division, headway final bend, one pace after
chased leader, challenged approaching 5th, weakened approaching last
held up in mid-division, headway and ridden final bend, stayed on one pace
held up last, ridden after 5th, soon weakened
always behind, no impression
held up towards rear, ridden 5th, soon weakened
led, mistake 3rd, ridden 4th, headed 5th, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden and headway final bend, stayed on from last
Almaydan gets the vote here over Amanpuri, Fountain Hill, Huxley, Stance and Murat. The selection's second to Mister Felix at Doncaster last time reads very well in this sphere and he has to be high on the shortlist of possible winners of this race. Alessandro Severo has won three times on the all-weather at up to 12 furlongs, and had fair form in that sphere. However, his hurdling debut was inauspicious. Amanpuri won at 12 furlongs on the Flat in Germany and was placed over hurdles in Ireland after that. This type of race should see him in a better light on his British hurdling debut. The well-bred Paul Nicholls gelding Fountain Hill makes his hurdling debut, having won and been third in two bumpers to date. He too warrants plenty of respect. The Philip Hobbs-trained Huxley is making his British debut having won three times on the Flat in Ireland at up to a mile. Olivier has shown some promise over hurdles but others are preferred by us today. Stance could be interesting as he won a 12-furlong maiden at Newbury two years ago but has now returned from a spell in Spain. He should be fit following a run at Newbury last month. Martin Pipe runs three here, the best of them looking to be Murat and Maidstone Mistral. The former hasn't looked straightforward but might improve with racing, while Maidstone Mistral's third to Mioche d'Estruval at Exeter in January is reasonable form. Overall, though, we are happy to side with Almaydan.
