headway 6th, blundered 3 out, weakened approaching next
held up towards rear, ridden and weakened from 6th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no extra
ridden and headway to lead approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, rallied and led again flat, driven out
pulled hard, chased leader, jumped right 1st, ridden 6th, soon weakened
in touch, challenged on bit 2 out, ridden and led approaching last, headed and no extra flat
held up, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out
pulled hard, chased leaders, ridden and lost place after 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, pushed along 4th, some headway next, weakened from 3 out
ridden 3 out, soon weakened
Probably not too many Cheltenham Festival winners here but a competitive race to start. Kerrigand hails from the French provinces and was second on debut at Chepstow to the useful Tardar. As a Martin Pipe runner, he is sure to be popular but the bookies will be taking no chances. Loup Bleu actually had Sud Bleu behind on an Auteuil hurdles run in September 2001. If he has trained on similarly, this would not be a contest! Goldbrook failed to capitalise on a decent performance first time up and with his stable in moderate form, we'll look elsewhere. Ken Scott was a little disappointing at Warwick last time out but that race looked stronger than this one and he was capable of handling softer ground during his spell in France. As the only previous winner under British rules, we'll give him a tentative nod.
