Opera de Coeur had won a 11f flat race in the French provinces on his only other start and he still looked green when hitting the front early in the straight. He had not shaken off Investment Wings when that rival took a nasty fall on his neck at the last. The winner looked to be calling the shots, but had not extended his lead from the second-last, so arguably it was all to play for. He is not likely to be subjected to the hurly-burly of any big juvenile races and looks the sort to progress.
Investment Wings had done nothing to suggest a fall in setting a good pace, measuring his hurdles well and he was battling on well when exiting. It was a bad fall and the worry is what damage it will have done to his previous confidence.
Screen Test shaped with distinct promise on this hurdling debut and having had his resolution questioned on the Flat, he did nothing wrong here. He was entitled to find the ground testing enough, but battled on well, although he would have only been third but for the faller.
Ortega took a fierce hold early, but travelled well thereafter before paying for early exertions in the straight. He ran well enough in the circumstances and looks the type to do better on better ground.
Kickahead weakened worryingly quickly after turning in fourth and close up. He hung right and curled up as if there might have been something amiss and this was clearly not his running after a fine hurdling debut effort.
Tote
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