in touch, outpaced 4 out
always behind
in touch, pushed along 4 out, outpaced before next
started slowly, led 2nd, soon clear, headed 2 out, not pace of winner
prominent to halfway, soon tailed off
led to 2nd, chased clear leader until led again 2 out, comfortably
mid-division, struggling from 8th
towards rear, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 7th
Altay has been in good form on the Flat, and may prove too strong for Garde Champetre. Altay was good enough to do win the Swinton Hurdle in 2003, but has been lightly raced since, and in fact missed all of last year. Richard Fahey's nine-year-old may be considered a bit old to start a career over fences, but he has been in winning form on the Flat lately, and should have a fitness edge over most of these, including Garde Champetre. Granted he has taken on good company in the past, but was tailed off behind Reveillez at the Cheltenham Festival in March and a watching brief might be prudent. Ela Re flopped badly over hurdles at Market Rasen in July, while Notaproblem may find this trip on the short side despite this track taking some getting. All in all, Altay has more going for him than most and is the pick.
Altay 10-11fav (11-9) Tracked winner, closed up approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Wet Lips (10-1) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gf in Feb '04.
Count Fosco 16-1 (10-12) Behind, some headway when mistake 12th, no impression from 3 out, 5th of 10, 29l behind General Alarm (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov chs (4) gf in Sept.
Duke Orsino (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Held up, hit 1st, outpaced from 6th, lost place from 8th, 4th of 5, well behind Monet's Garden (11-7) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Ela Re 16-1 (10-9) Always behind, tailed off from 3 out, last of 17, well behind Tycoon Hall (9-13) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Jul.
Fearless Foursome 9-2 (11-1) In touch, headway 3 out, chased winner next, soon ridden, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Kiwijimbo (10-11) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in May.
Garde Champetre (FR) 20-1 (10-13) Always behind, tailed off, 13th of 18, well behind Reveillez (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (1) gd in Mar.
Notaproblem (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Clan Royal (11-7) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar.
Rajam 8-1 (10-0) Mid-division, blundered 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off from next, 12th of 17, well behind Rooftop Protest (9-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gd in Sept '05.
