mid-division, ridden 5th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
led, virtually refused 1st, mid-division, ridden 3 out, stayed on one pace
held up in touch, headway 5th, ridden challenged and led before 2 out, driven and ran on well flat
prominent, ridden 5th, weakened before 2 out
pulled hard, led after 1st, headed 5th, weakened quickly, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, bbv
mid-division, ridden 5th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, headway and led 5th, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
prominent, headway 5th, led on bit after 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, not quicken
in touch, mistake 4th, ridden and headway from 3 out, went 2nd approaching last, ran on well flat but not pace of winner
held up last, ridden 3 out, stayed on past beaten horses from 2 out
mid-division when swerved right and unseated rider 1st
held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, unseated rider 4th
The Henderson-McCoy combination is hard to avoid here so we'll side with King Eider, with Forever My Lord, Maiful and Skylarker rated the dangers. The selection finished a very good third to Cheltenham-bound Albuhera at Newbury last time, and a repeat of that level of form will clearly make him the one to beat. Five-time Flat winner Forever My Lord has to be of interest on his hurdling debut in what looks a modest race overall, while Lord Nellson has a number of placed efforts to his name but is vulnerable to an improver. Titian Lass has won in the Middle East but has so far failed to sparkle over hurdles in this country but Skylarker was pretty consistent on the Flat at up 10 furlongs and, despite winning only won once in that sphere, comes here fit and looks set to go well. Paul Nicholls always has to be respected at this venue so keep an eye on Maiful but, overall, King Eider holds a very solid chance and, accordingly, gets the nomination.
