mid-division, raced keen, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, weakened next
held up, headway 6th, weakened 3 out
towards rear, mistake 5th, headway next, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, weakened 3 out
always behind
held up mid-division, keen, weakened approaching 2 out
led, headed after 3rd, led again 6th, hit and headed 3 out, every chance between last 2, kept on
held up, keen, outpaced from 6th
held up mid-division, chased leaders 7th, hampered after next, outpaced approaching 2 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, led approaching last, held on well
held up, some headway after 3 out, never dangerous
behind, saddle slipped, pulled up before 6th
chased leaders, led 3 out, headed approaching last, one pace
struggling from 4 out
prominent, weakened from 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led after 3rd, headed 6th, soon weakened
Bleu Pois, My Condor and Shelomoh are the three to look at here and Bleu Pois is the selection. Third in a Haydock bumper on his debut, Shelomoh ran well until tiring at Hexham next time. He nonetheless finished fourth and can be expected to come on for the run so is respected. My Condor had shown promise in bumpers and was having his second run over hurdles when finishing second to a hotpot at Ludlow. He is clearly progressing and can go well here. Bleu Pois has shown ability in all three starts to date, being placed twice in bumpers last season, before finishing second on his hurdling bow at Sedgefield last time, staying on well in the closing stages. This two furlong longer trip looks sure to suit, and he looks set to collect a deserved first success. Bleu Pois can win this.
Bleu Pois (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders, headway over 5f out, went 2nd over 4f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Nortonthorpe Lad (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gs in Oct.
Boston Mate 66-1 (10-7) Never a factor, 8th of 15, 47l behind Platin Grounds (10-9) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Cool Hunter 25-1 (10-12) Hit 3rd, always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Spear Thistle (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 19 ran.
Macchiato 20-1 (10-12) Held up and keen, headway 4 out, soon weakened, 11th of 20, well behind Springvic (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
My Condor (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Led, headed approaching 3 out, one pace, 2nd of 3, 26l behind My Turn Now (11-0) at Ludlow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Shelomoh (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened 2 out, 4th of 14, well behind Cedrus Libani (11-0) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Spirit Calling (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 3 out, kept on, 4th of 16, 25l behind King Daniel (10-11) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Super Baby (FR) 80-1 (10-11) Raced keen in mid-division, headway and prominent halfway, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Cedrus Libani (11-0) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
