held up in rear, headway after 6th, chased winner 3 out, mistake last, no extra flat
mid-division, mistake 6th, soon struggling
held up in rear, hampered and unseated rider 4th
chased leaders, mistake 1st, ridden after 6th, soon no impression
tracked leaders, hampered 1st and rider lost iron until after 2nd, went 2nd after 6th, led approaching 3 out, drew clear flat, eased close home
prominent, jumped right and bumped 1st, losing place when mistake 6th, soon weakened, jumped right and blundered 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, took keen hold, hampered and unseated rider 4th
led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
hampered 1st, soon pressing leader, lost 2nd after 6th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, hampererd 1st, tried to duck out right and unseated rider 4th
FIDELIS deserves to pick up a prize like this and is taken to do so from Vertueux, whilst Lord Francois is capable of better than he showed on his British debut. Daryl Jacob's mount remains a maiden over timber but in fairness he's only had nine tries, the last of them a fair second off this mark of 95. He's faced some stiff tasts on occasion and this represents a drop in class, whilst we already know he'll act under conditions and the feeling is he can take advantage of this easiest opportuntiy to date. Despite the fact this isn't the strongest race there are a pair of horses that pose a big threat in the shape of Vertrueux and Lord Francois. The last named was well supported to make a winning debut for Tim Vaughan last time but he got bogged down in the mud and disappointed backers. However, if support were to arrive again it'd probably be worth taking it very seriously indeed. At this stage though Vertueux holds more solid form credentials, having taken second in arguably a better contest last time. With conditions to suit it'd be little surprise were he to shrug off a 5lb rise and score for last years winnign trainer. Rebel Dancer appears nicely treated but he's got to learn to settle and continues to be opposable until doing so, whilst Ten Pole Tudor is at best a low-grade flat performer who can be taken on. This novices' handicap hurdle is taken to go to Ben De Haan and Fidelis.
Fidelis (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4th, chased winner appraoching 2 out, ridden and no impression last, one pace flat, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Barrel Of Fun (11-1) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Ten Pole Tudor 18-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, some headway 4 out, weakened next, 11th of 14, well behind Ciceron (11-7) at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Rebel Dancer (FR) 9-2 (11-3) In rear, headway after 3 out, one pace, 4th of 8, 7l behind Stage Acclaim (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Gratification 8-1 (10-13) In rear, pushed along 6th, headway after next, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, 44l behind Global Flyer (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Vertueux (FR) 11-4fav (10-4) In touch in chasing group, outpaced 4 out, ridden and headway 2 out, every chance last, kept on, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Posh Emily (10-7) at Sandown 2m Am hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Everyman 10-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, pecked 4th, with leaders 3 out, a narrow 2nd and well held when blundered last, no extra, 3rd of 13, 16l behind Nulato (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Lord Francois (FR) 15-8fav (11-11) In touch, headway to 4th at 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Harcourt (10-4) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Decision 16-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, lost place 4 out, rallied and headway 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 29l behind Clerk's Choice (10-4) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Weet In Nerja 33-1 (10-13) Took keen hold, under pressure 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 11, 15l behind Extreme Conviction (11-9) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Apr.
Danzig Fox 200-1 (11-1) Pulled hard, jumped right 1st, tracked leader until 3rd, remained prominent, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 11th of 12, 45l behind Tanto Faz (11-1) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
