led, jumping left, headed before 4 out, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off after 5th, pulled up after 2 out
always prominent, jumped badly left and nearly unseated rider 1st, weakened 2 out
chased leader, led 4 out, clear 2 out, easily
held up, headway 6th, weakened 4 out
behind when blundered and unseated rider 2nd
held up towards rear, some effort 7th, soon weakened
held up, headway when driven along 7th, weakened 4 out
behind, effort and reminders 7th, soon weakened
held up, headway 6th, chased winner from 4 out, no impression
held up, some headway 7th, weakened 4 out, jumped left 3 out
always towards rear, some effort 6th, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 6th, weakened and pulled up before 4 out
A large field goes to post for the first on the card but, on closer inspection, not many can be given a serious chance of winning and the principals look to be Tempsford, Dream Alliance and Lunch Was My Idea, and the narrow vote is given to Tempsford. The selection was a fair sort on the flat is sure to have been well schooled for this his hurdling debut and under conditions that suit he is taken to score. Dream Alliance rates the main danger on his latest third behind Wee Robbie. He is sure to improve for the step up in trip but with his yard again continuing out of form he looks worth taking on. Lunch Was My Idea was a fair sort in bumpers and although he has not progressed as expected so far over hurdles he is another that looks sure to improve for the step up in trip.Exceptionnel was a fair third behind Alfasonic last time and is another that is sure to improve but the suspicion is he may be seen to better effect in handicaps. Of the remainder Back Among Friends is from a yard in form and could go well at a price but his overall profile leaves him with a little to find and for the winner we return to Tempsford who has been found an ideal opportunity to open his account at the first time of asking.
Back Among Friends 40-1 (11-5) Jumped left, led to 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 22, 37l behind Straw Bear (11-5) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (3) sft.
Dream Alliance 14-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, lost place 5th, stayed on from 2 out, kept on flat, 3rd of 18, 3 1/2l behind Wee Robbie (11-0) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) gs in Dec.
Exceptionnel (FR) 50-1 (10-5) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, stayed on, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Alfasonic (10-12) at Towcester 3m nov hdl (4) sft.
Lunch Was My Idea (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) In rear, some headway approaching 3 out, 5th of 14, 36l behind Magnifico (11-5) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Ocean of Storms (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway and chased leader 6th, ridden after 3 out, led briefly approaching 2 out, kept on same place flat, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Kings Castle (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gs.
Principe Azzurro (FR) 28-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 6th, ridden and every chance 2 out, soon weakened, 2nd of 16, 10l behind Five Colours (11-4) at Hereford 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Red Echo (FR) Subotica gelding, half-brother to useful jumper Jurancon II and a winning chaser in France.
Tempsford (USA) 50-1 (9-1) Prominent, led over 14f out, headed over 4f out, weakened quickly, 30th of 34, well behind Sergeant Cecil (9-8) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gs in Oct (Flat).
