chased leading pair until outpaced before 2 out, rallied to modest 3rd again flat
took keen hold, held up in last trio, headway after 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, no chance with very easy winner
led, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened soon after
took keen hold, held up in last trio on inside, not fluent 5th, blundered 3 out, plugged on from next
chased leader until well before 2 out, weakened quickly, tailed off
tracked leading trio, went 2nd well before 2 out, led on bit before 2 out, soon clear, very easily
Nonrunner
Arrayan was a most unlucky loser when bidding for a hat-trick at Taunton last week as he was clear when unshipping his conditional rider after jumping the last. He races off the same mark here and Tom Scudamore now takes over in the saddle. The four-year-olds Ultravox and Kahfre could play a part, while Grey Wulff and That'lldoboy are both unexposed. Doctor Foxtrot won over this trip at Ffos Las last month, while Folie A Deux won off a higher mark over fences at Warwick last month. PERE BLANC never came out of second gear when landing a novices' handicap at Kempton last week, however, and is taken to double up here despite his penalty.
Doctor Foxtrot (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Close up when badly hampered 2nd, in touch on inside, stumbled on landing 7th, headway to 3rd before bypassing omitted 3 out, went 2nd between last 2, closed to challenge last, stayed on gamely to lead towards finish, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Rangitoto (11-5) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Baile Anrai (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Chased leader, went right 1st, challenged and every chance 3 out, losing place when badlly hampered and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Accordintolawrence (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Grey Wulff (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) In touch, lost place 3rd, headway 5th, outpaced before 7th, stayed on approaching last, went 2nd post, no impression on winner, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Minella Stars (11-0) at Hereford 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
Ultravox (USA) 9-1 (10-12) Not fluent, led, went badly right 1st, headed after 4 out, weakened and dropped to last before 3 out, regained modest 3rd soon after, no chance when blundered 2 out, 3rd of 4, 19l behind Cedre Bleu (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Folie A Deux (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) In rear after bad mistake 1st, never going that well after, not fluent 10th, lost touch after 4 out, 4th of 6, well behind Royal Wedding (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Kahfre 11-4 (10-12) Held up in last pair, chased leaders from 3rd, headway to lead 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, no chance with winner soon after, clear 2nd best, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Pepite Rose (10-5) at Folkestone 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Pere Blanc (IRE) 10-3fav (11-2) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd and challenged 7th, led soon after 3 out, came effortlessly clear from next, canter, won at Kempton 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs beating Russian Epic (11-10) by 15l, 18 ran.
Arrayan 9-2 (11-3) Led, clear approaching last, rider fell off and unseated rider soon after, in a race won by Highway Code (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-130) (4yo+) (3) gd, 10 ran.
That'lldoboy (FR) 14-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, effort after 3 out, soon hard driven, kept on well, never troubled leaders, 4th of 14, 10l behind Calico Rose (10-11) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
