held up, jumped slowly 6th, driven and headway approaching 2 out, no chance with winner
held up in touch, headway to lead approaching 2 out, clear when hit last, easily
chased leaders, hit 1st, lost place 6th, behind when pulled up before 9th
held up, behind from 6th, pulled up before last, dismounted (wore cheek pieces)
prominent, joined leader 4th, soon ridden, led 6th, headed next, soon weakened
held up and behind, mistake 3rd, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden 4th, behind from 2 out
behind, jumped well 5th and 6th, pulled up next
led, challenged 4 out, headed approaching 6th, led again next, headed 2 out, weakening when fell last (wore cheek pieces)
Not a lot of inspiring recent form for us here and therefore the tentative TEAMtalk vote goes to Glacial River, who is thrown straight into handicap company by Denis Caro. A decent performer without winning over hurdles, the nine-year-old has always looked as though chasing would suit. He is sure to have been well schooled for his debut and gets in on a fair mark against horses he would have been better than over hurdles. His long lay-off is a slight concern, but the yard are going well and he can win what is a moderate contest. The major threat could come from Existential. Paul Nicholls' runners are really firing at the moment, which means that nothing he sends out can be easily discounted. The seven-year-old has only one run over fences to draw upon himself, that being an 11 length defeat by Chicago City at Fontwell a year ago. That was a similarly moderate contest and he would have to be at his best to win this first time out. Of the remainder, Norman Mason's Nephite possess ability and has won over the course, but is not looking at his best recently, while Richie's Delight merits respect, but keeps finding others too good. El Cordobes comes from a yard who have a 100 per cent record in the race and therefore cannot be ruled out and certainly has claims based on his course and distance win here in May.
