held up, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leader approaching 2 out, led flat, kept on well
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, weakened from 3 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, led approaching 2 out, mistake last, headed flat, no extra
mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
towards rear, jumped right 4th, weakened 6th
held up, steady headway from 2 out, took 3rd flat, never troubled leaders
mid-division early, blundered 5th, soon struggling
with leader and keen, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, weakened 3 out
always behind, reminders after 3rd
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
The short-list comprises Latanier, Rapid Crossing and Monsignorita with the Cadoudal gelding preferred. True, he's making his hurdling debut and has to be forgiven a poor run at Towcester but better was expected last time and he fairly sluiced through the heavy ground prior to that. With doubts about all of the main protagonists, he's well worth chancing. Rapid Increase made a really good start to his hurdling career on top of the ground but suffered a reverse last time. Whether, that was down to the useful company, the ground or his stable's in and out form remains to be seen but that run sounded a note of caution. Monsignorita appears to be improving with experience but has achieved nothing out of the ordinary to date. Such A Man is one to note in the market whilst Carrickmines shaped with a little more promise at Huntingdon but Latanier has been found an eminently winnable opening for his hurdling bow.
Rapid Increase (IRE) 7-2 (11-11) Held up, jumped slowly 4th, headway after 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened last, 7th of 17, 10l behind The Polomoche (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Carrickmines (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Led until 6th, remained prominent, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 16, 33l behind Jaunty Flight (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Fortyshadesofgreen (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 16, 30l behind Blackpool Billy (10-11) at Towcester 2m nhf (4) sft in Nov.
Latanier (FR) 5-4fav (10-11) Led, clear halfway, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 33l behind Black Ven (11-0) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Masterjoe 100-1 (10-12) Held up behind, some headway 5 out, never dangerous, 8th of 16, 45l behind Cryptic (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Ocean Fou (FR) 200-1 (11-4) Keen, stumbled 1st, mistake and fell in race won by Forest Pennant (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy, 16 ran.
Porta Vogie (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up and keen, never a factor, 8th of 14, 25l behind Hinton Thunderbolt (10-2) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Ptibaby (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, left in lead 4th, soon headed, ridden after 3 out, weakened before last, 6th of 13, 32l behind Space Mission (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Such A Man (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Prominent, 4th when slight mistake 6th, 5th 4 out, no impression from next, 6th of 16, 14l behind Gusda (10-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-102 sft in Nov.
Twenti Twenti (IRE) 200-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders until weakened 3 out, 15th of 16, well behind Pettifour (11-6) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Drumroe 100-1 (10-8) Mid-division, weakened 7th, soon tailed off, 6th of 15, well behind Mealagh Valley (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Monsignorita (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Led, ridden and headed after 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Castlecrossings (11-1) at Chepstow 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
