in touch, hampered 4 out, modest 3rd soon after
in touch and keen, not fluent, every chance when mistake last, no extra
tracked leaders, ridden 7th, weakened from 4 out
made virtually all, ridden when mistake 2 out, kept on gamely
held up, lost place 6th, tailed off when pulled up before next
mid-division, outpaced 7th, modest 4th when blundered 2 out
held up, outpaced 7th, soon behind
in touch when fell 4 out
tracked leaders, lost place 7th, tailed off from 4 out
The opening contest on a bumper eight race card and FABALU can make amends for a disappointing effort at Hexham last time; Diamond Frontier broke his maiden tag at the sixth attempt in heavy ground last time and these testing conditions will suit him while in contrast, Border Reiver appears most effective on a sounder surface. Fabalu is a dual Irish point-to-point winner who like many, found the bottomless conditions against him at Hexham last time. Second behind the highly regarded Inchidaly Rock on his final start between the flags, he made a very promising rececourse debut in bumper company at Aintree when finishing second behind Cloudy Times. His running last time was clearly not what he is capable of and he can make amends for that expensive failure. Diamond Frontier proved himself very adaptable on the easy surface last time. Rated 125, he is a smart sort having only finished outside of the placings once in his six hurdle starts. Border Reiver was not disgraced under his penalty last time, just being outpaced by a horse with flat tactical speed. Rimsky Korsakov has failed to build on his handicap hurdle success at this venue earlier in the year and looks up against it while Keene Spirit is worth bearing in mind with a handicapping career on the horizon. Fabalu is nominated to win it.
Border Reiver 7-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, hit last, kept on flat, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Dzesmin (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Diamond Frontier (IRE) 6-5fav (10-12) Close up, led approaching 3rd, made rest, easily, won at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov beating Numero Due (11-5) by 12l, 16 ran.
Rimsky Korsakov (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, 26l behind Dan Buoy (11-1) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Fabalu (IRE) 2-5fav (10-12) Chased leader, led 2nd, headed 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Calin Royal (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nh mdn hdl (5) hvy in Nov.
Flight Wigeon 150-1 (10-12) Close up, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Smoke And Mirrors (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov, 16 ran.
Keene Spirit 10-1 (10-12) Chased clear leader until weakened after 4 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 11, 13l behind Border Reiver (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Take Time 66-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 17, 27l behind Nougat de L'Isle (11-1) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar '07.
Ukrainian Star (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Mid-division, struggling final 5f, 7th of 12, well behind Midnight Haze (10-9) at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gd in Jun.
Woodhill (IRE) (12-0) 3rd of 16, 5l behind Strokestown (12-0) at Loughbrickland 3m ire ptp sft in Apr.
Miss Tosca (IRE) 4-5fav (11-7) Led til hdd app 8; led 3 out; plugged on, won at Dalton Park 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Sams Party (11-7) by 3l, 12 ran.
Calm Seas (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Held up, pushed along from halfway, never dangerous, 7th of 11, well behind Border Reiver (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
