tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra
soon behind, tailed off after 4th
took keen hold, held up, some late progress past beaten horses, went moderate 4th after last
in touch, ridden after 4th, one pace from next
with leader, led and hit 2nd, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, moderate 4th when mistake last
tracked leaders, went prominent after 2nd, every chance approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
mid-division, ridden and some headway after 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out
led until hit 2nd, gradually faded, tailed off after 4th
mid-division until weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, headway after 3rd, chased leaders approaching 3 out, led approaching last, stayed on well
soon struggling and always in rear
The shortlist contains Fast Forward, Red Echo, Round The Horn and Mahogany Blaze, with the vote just going to Fast Forward. This looks the weaker of the novice hurdle divisions and Fast Forward has displayed respectable form in bumpers and in one hurdling run - which, incidentally, came over a much longer trip - and has to be considered today. Bumper winner Fibre Optics will need to build on his two hurdling runs to date, while Martin Pipe's Red Echo, although he showed little on his sole run to date, cost 56,000 euros and is surely better than that. Bumper winner Round The Horn, who holds a Cheltenham entry, showed plenty of promise in that sphere and has to go on the shortlist, but Suprendre Espere has not built on her bumper win in two hurdling runs. Finally, Mahogany Blaze has also shown more than enough in bumpers and over hurdles to be rated a major player and, while not having built on a promising debut run, first-time blinkers might help the cause of Willy The Slip, with his stable being in such good form. Once again, pay some heed to the betting but, without that, we will stick with Fast Forward.
Fast Forward (NZ) 10-3 (11-6) Prominent, hit 3 out, chased winner after 2 out, hard driven flat, no impression and lost 2nd last stride, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Doc Row (11-6) at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Fibre Optics (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Chased leader, led after 6th, soon headed, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 7, well behind Denman (11-13) at Bangor 3m nov hdl (3) gd.
Gimmeabreak (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Always behind pulled up 3 out in race won by Craven (11-2) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (E) gs in Dec, 25 ran.
Harrival 200-1 (10-13) Held up and always towards rear, 7th of 14, well behind Geeveem (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
How Is The Lord (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 37l behind Keenan's Future (11-11) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Idbury (IRE) 150-1 (11-4) Led to 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 27l behind Keenan's Future (11-11) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Red Echo (FR) 14-1 (11-5) Always behind, 10th of 14, well behind Dream Alliance (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Suprendre Espere 125-1 (11-3) Led, headed approaching 3 out, weakened next, 12th of 18, 40l behind Regal Heights (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft.
Templer (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) In touch to 6th, 6th of 14, well behind Paro (10-11) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gf.
Mahogany Blaze (FR) 11-1 (10-12) Chased leader until ridden 3 out, weakened soon after next, 4th of 14, 17l behind Heathcote (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) sft in Dec.
Willy The Slip 28-1 (11-2) Mid-division, mistake and reminder 4th, driven and weakened soon after 2 out, 8th of 13, well behind Dear Villez (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Bethebestyoucanbe Morpeth gelding out of winning hurdler/chaser Anagmor's Daughter.
Round The Horn (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Held up, headway over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, every chance when hung left over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Roll Along (11-12) at Warwick 2m nhf lst (1) sft in Jan.
