chased leaders, ridden afetr 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
chased leaders, mistake 6th, weakened and eased after 3 out
led, ridden approaching last, headed and no extra flat
held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, 3rd and held when mistake last
tracked leader, effort approaching last, ridden to lead flat, ran on
The twice-transferred Tolworth Hurdle has produced an interesting contest. The three to focus on are Kopeck, Puntal and Thisthatandtother. Kopeck is a full-brother to the hugely talented but ill-fated Rouble. He sprang a surprise when beating Puntal by two lengths at Ascot in December but is now seven pounds worse off. Puntal had been spoken of as a Champion Hurdle contender prior to his Ascot defeat so is on a retrieving mission. Thisthatandtother found less than expected over the final two flights when finding the high-class novice Coolnagorna too good for him at Sandown (Self Defense, now 4lbs worse off was 26 lengths away in third). A course and distance winner, this track could be more to his liking and he is entitled to go well. Fair Question won the German St Leger for John Dunlop but would be doing well to win this on his hurdling debut. The other pair make little appeal in this company. Puntal is given another chance to put his Cheltenham hopes back on track.
