held up, always in rear, tailed off 6th
held up, headway to chase leaders 2 out, soon ridden, no extra well before last
mistake 2nd, always behind, tailed off when pulled up after 2 out
chased leaders, ridden when unseated rider after 4th
held up, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up after next
raced wide, made most, clear when mistake 4th, mistake and headed 2 out, soon weakened
in touch, chased winner 2 out, driven and no impression before last
mostly tracked leader, hit 3rd, led 2 out, 5 lenths clear last, well clear when eased near finish
held up in mid-division, effort and hit 2 out, stayed on from 2 out, 5 lengths 2nd and no chance when blundered last, kept on as winner eased near finish
chased leaders, weakened before 6th, tailed off when pulled up before last
mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up after next
not jumped well in rear, jumped slowly 1st and 2nd, tailed off when pulled up before 6th
reminders 3rd, always behind
Backbord can make a winning start at the expense of Lord of Adventure, with Original Fly, Sole Agent and Akram all seen as dangers. Backbord is a very interesting newcomer to hurdles, having won the Italian St Leger from a stablemate in October, and the ex-German horse would surely not have to be anything special to go in first time. He has worked well over timber on the Newmarket gallops and is expected to go well by connections. Original Fly has had plenty of time to acclimatise and he should soon step up on what he has shown so far for Paul Nicholls. However, he has just stayed on at the one pace at both Newbury and Lingfield and obviously does not possess a turn of foot, so the feeling is that if he is allowed to stride on early, he can utilise his stamina enough to at least play a part. Those tactics nearly worked for Lord of Adventure at Lingfield last time and he is sure to be up there battling away for a place at least as well. Sole Agent had his limitations exposed behind stablemate Pace Shot at Plumpton on New Year's Day, while Akram was tailed off when pulled up in a decent race at Newbury last week and is surely better than that, having won on the Flat in Ireland. Backbord was useful on the continent and can make an immediate impact at his new career.
Akram (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) In touch, weakened before 5th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Detroit City (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs, 24 ran.
Backbord (GER) Won at San Siro 1m 6f lst stk gs in Oct beating Simone Boccanegra by a nk, 9 ran (Flat).
Fixateur 28-1 (11-0) Soon tracking leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 33l behind Ortolan Bleu (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (B) sft in Dec.
Lord of Adventure (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Led to 3rd, stayed prominent, every chance from 3 out, still upsides last, carried left run-in, not quicken and held near finish, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Play The Melody (11-3) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) sft in Dec.
Original Fly (FR) 10-3 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra run-in, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Heathcote (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) sft in Dec.
Sole Agent (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Raced on inside, led 2nd to 4th, lost place soon after next, 5th of 11, 18l behind Pace Shot (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft.
Spear Thistle 8-1 (10-12) Soon tailed off, 15th of 24, well behind Detroit City (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs.
Just Beware 11-1 (9-12) Led, headed after 1st, remained in touch, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 7th of 9, 19l behind Reaching Out (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gs in Nov.
