in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened before next
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, driven after 2 out, no impression on leaders
mid-division, weakened soon after 3 out
always behind
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened soon after
chased leader until weakened approaching 2 out
always in rear, lost touch before 3 out, pulled up next
mid-division, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, chased leaders last, driven and stayed on flat to lead final 100 yards
chased leaders, headway approaching 2 out, soon every chance, kept on under pressure flat, went 2nd towards finish
behind, ridden after 3 out, some late headway, never in contention
towards rear, moderate effort approaching 2 out
in touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, led and hit 2 out, headed final 100 yards, one pace and lost 2nd towards finish
Quaddick Lake has been a major disappointment so far for David Pipe and looks best watched in a race taken to go to PTERODACTYL, who gets the verdict with Billie Magern rated the best of the rest. The selection has run well in all four starts since joining Venetia Williams from his previous stable in France, including on his reappearance at Leicester last month and he looks worth chancing on his first start in a handicap. The Ian Williams-trained Fredo was good value for his success in a novice hurdle at Haydock recently and has to be respected on that effort but his earlier form, including in a handicap, suggests that he may be a shade high in the weights. With Henry Daly's team beginning to hit form, his runner Rockiteer has to be respected, while John Berry's Kadouchski has more to do than when landing a selling hurdle at Leicester last time. Alan King's Tifoso showed winning form over hurdles in France but it is difficult to evaluate the worth of that form and of more interest may be James Eustace's Karky Schultz, who looks to be going the right way over timber. Billie Magern is less exposed than most of these after just five career starts and has to be considered given the good form of Nigel Twiston-Davies' horses. Several have chances in a trappy contest but it is Pterodactyl that gets the verdict.
Fredo (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) Chased leaders, led 3 out, ran on well from last, won at Haydock 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Nov beating Professor Higgins (10-12) by 5l, 16 ran.
Pterodactyl (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, every chance approaching 2 out, not fluent last, one pace, 2nd of 16, 6l behind Norman The Great (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Quaddick Lake (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Held up, behind when fell at the 4th in race won by Glenary (9-11) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Nov, 16 ran.
Bring It On Home 16-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 9th of 14, 15l behind Take The Breeze (11-4) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Billie Magern 5-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 3 out, driven to lead 2 out, headed last, no extra close home, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Sea Storm (11-0) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (3) gf in Nov.
Rockiteer (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and hit last, one pace, 4th of 9, 9l behind Whisky Magic (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Buffalo Bob (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Settled behind clear leader, closed up before 6th, soon led, ridden and headed before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Medermit (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Prince Louis (FR) (10-7) 5th of 6, 13l behind Northern Senor (10-12) at Nantes 2m 1f hcp hvy in Nov '07 (Flat).
Kadouchski (FR) 28-1 (11-8) In touch, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure flat, won at Leicester 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Nov beating Goldan Jess (11-5) by 1l, 10 ran.
Spartan Place 9-1 (10-12) Chased leader, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on well from last, 4th of 12, 22l behind Denman (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (D) gd in Nov '05.
Apache Chant (USA) 16-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from next, hampered last, 8th of 18, 11l behind Kilmeena Magic (10-9) at Kempton 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Passato (GER) 12-1 (11-4) Pulled hard, led after 1st, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, 31l behind Alasao (11-3) at Exeter 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Karky Schultz (GER) 7-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4th, ridden between last 2, kept on well, never able to challenge, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Woolfall Treasure (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Tifoso (FR) (9-2) 7th of 12, 14l behind No Green Just Blue (9-2) at Angers 1m 2f in Feb (Flat).
