led, blundered and headed 3 out, kept on under pressure to regain 2nd flat
towards rear, some headway on inside halfway, ridden and weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, every chance 4 out, soon ridden and effort, weakened next
mid-division, pushed along 4 out, outpaced before next
close up, led approaching last comfortably
raced keen, tracked leaders, every chance 4 out, no extra from 2 out
towards rear, struggling halfway, behind when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, mistake 4th, soon dropped rear, no danger after
pulled hard in rear, headway approaching 3 out to track leaders, soon ridden and effort, one pace from 2 out
mid-division, pushed along 4 out, ridden and weakened before next
behind from halfway
Archie Babe has shown tremendous improvement over hurdles this season and can land his second success at the expense of Mambo and Indian Solitaire. John Quinn¿s versatile gelding was most impressive over course and distance when slamming Valeureux by 17 lengths. He ran no sort of race at Hexham next time when a short priced favourite, but we can forgive him that lapse and this looks a good opportunity for him to re-coup the losses today. Mambo hails from a powerful yard and would have landed some nice bets on his return at Haydock but for crashing out at the last, if his confidence hasn't been blunted he will take all the beating.Of the others Indian Solitaire is steadily getting the hang of hurdling and should take a hand in the finish. Newcomers Freedom Now and Union Deux are worth checking out in the betting but for the selection it has to be Archie Babe.
