Reporter: Simon Rowlands
A race in which Salvator Mundi and Kopek Des Bordes went off too quickly after the first couple of hurdles had been jumped, establishing a long gap over the remainder but coming right back to the other 2 still in contention going to 2 out. The former did particularly well to hang on for second, even the winner returning negative splits with a final 4f of 59.47s (97.4% finishing speed) on ground that was “good” on times.
IRANCY (h158 here, 148+ previously) deserves credit for further improvement and is probably a pretty good hurdler, possibly even a Champion Hurdle candidate for next season, but things did tee up well for him with his 2 main rivals cutting each other’s throats. He was a long way back after the 2nd but closed going to 2 out, led going well after it and was shaken up, ridden once with the whip and pushed out as he went further clear on the run-in.
SALVATOR MUNDI (h147+ here, 156 previously) had little chance of repeating his Aintree form given how hard he went up front after the first couple, clear with the favourite mid-race (tended to jump to his right) then being reeled in going to 2 out and headed between the last 2. To his credit, he kept going, having looked likely to capitulate entirely. There may be a really big effort in him, but not ridden in this manner.
KARBAU (h143+ here, 146 previously) was kept well away from the overly-strong pace early, closing going to 2 out (where he was slightly hampered) and disputing second when getting the last wrong, a bit better than the bare result.
KOPEK DES BORDES (h120 here, 163 previously) went as if not himself on this quicker ground, even allowing for racing too close to the overly-strong pace (clear with Salvator Mundi mid-race), jumping left after a couple of early mistakes and caving in 2 out. His Supreme win remains the novice hurdling performance of the campaign, and he is best forgiven this.
FLEETFOOT (h0 here and previously)
WHINNEY HILL (h0 here, 133 previously)
