tracked leaders and keen, lost place 6th
mid-division, mistake 2nd, ridden and weakened 7th
tracked leaders and keen, ridden to lead 3 out, headed 2 out and weakened last
in touch, ridden and weakened 4 out
led, headed after 4th, led again 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened last
keen, headway 4 out, hampered approaching 3 out, led 2 out, clear last, ran on
tracked leader, led after 4th, headed 4 out, edged left 3 out, kept on
mid-division, jumped slowly and lost places 4th, tailed off after 7th
soon prominent, weakened 4 out
mid-division, weakened 4 out
held up, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, under pressure and edged left from 2 out
held up, some progress 4 out, never dangerous
In a tight maiden hurdle where plenty have chances a shortlist can be drawn from PLINY, Jokers Legacy, Hey Big Spender and Cypress Grove with the first mentioned getting the nod. The selection may have only won an ordinary bumper put he did it in fine style under today's pilot by 14 lengths proving more than enough ability to land one of these. It is his debut over timber but Venetia Williams will have him schooled to the hilt and the step up to this longer trip is a good move. Jokers Legacy was well beaten by Ichidally Rock last time a form line that has ultimately proved weak. In context though the run wasn't that bad and with the gelding still open to improvement over hurdles he has a solid foundation to challenge again. Cypress Grove won a poor bumper at Fontwell in October and put in an improved display over timber last time to grab a place when staying on well ahead of the one we've just looked at. Hey Big Spender was six lengths back from the smart Aachen last time. That form will work out well but he should stay this longer trip although that is an unknown so strongest on our list seems Pliny.
A Bid Too Far (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Held up, never dangerous, 6th of 12, 38l behind Den of Iniquity (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Back To Reality 150-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders and keen, mistake 7th, ridden and weakened 4 out, 11th of 13, well behind Kayf Aramis (10-11) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) hvy.
Creagh Bay (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) fell in race won by Aces Or Better (11-9) at Tipperary 2m 4f beg chs gf in May '07, 16 ran.
Cypress Grove (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) In touch, every chance 2 out, one pace last, 3rd of 16, 6l behind Bakbenscher (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Dais Return (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) With leader, weakened quickly approaching 3 out, 9th of 13, 45l behind King Ar Aghaidh (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Hey Big Spender (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 5th, challenged approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 11, 9l behind Aachen (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) hvy.
Jokers Legacy (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, keen early, went 2nd and mistake 3 out, soon ridden, kept on for clear 2nd but held from next, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Inchidaly Rock (11-5) at Taunton 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
King Stanley (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Chased leader until after 2nd, lost place after next, progress to go 3rd briefly after 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 18l behind Neil Harvey (11-4) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Makin A Fuss 66-1 (10-13) Held up, behind from 4 out, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Little Josh (11-11) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Pharaon de Touzaine (FR) 66-1 (11-0) Held up, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 11th of 15, well behind The Gossmoor Yank (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Pliny (IRE) 7-2 (10-7) In touch and keen, led 4f out, ridden clear over 1f out, won at Towcester 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec beating King Raven (10-9) by 14l, 10 ran.
Throwaround 80-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden 6th, weakened after 8th and tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Kayf Aramis (10-11) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) hvy.
Enchanted Approach (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Held up and keen, weakened approaching 3 out, last of 4, well behind Fabalu (11-5) at Bangor 3m nov hdl (3) hvy.
Mrs Fawlty (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Tendency to jump left, chased leader to 3rd, soon steadied, in touch when slipped on landing and unseated rider at the 5th in race won by Silk Affair (10-4) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 8 ran.
Peppin's Gold (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Mid-division, weakened after 5th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Cracboumwiz (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec, 21 ran.
C'Monthehammers (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 6th of 13, 49l behind Giles Cross (11-0) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
