prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out, stayed on well from last, took 2nd towards finish
with leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
close up, weakened quickly approaching 3 out, pulled up soon after
held up in mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out
prominent, weakened 4 out
held up in mid-division, chased leaders approaching 3 out, weakened next
held up in mid-division, every chance 2 out, one pace from next, no extra towards finish
made most, headed 2 out, kept on from last
held up in mid-division, ridden and one pace from 2 out
held up in rear and keen, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression
held up in mid-division, ridden 3 out, never dangerous
held up in touch, led 2 out, kept on well
prominent, lost place from 3 out
BARWELL BRIDGE looks a good bet in this novices' hurdle; the list of dangers is headed by Nafaath and Garter Knight. The selection would be a welcome winner for trainer Warren Greatrex and he was only narrowly beaten by Advisor at Ascot last Saturday. He was a decent performer on the flat and he has shown enough to suggest that he is going to make into a very decent hurdler. Nafaath was formerly trained by Kevin Prendergast in Ireland and he is having his first run today for Howard Johnson. The yard are in good form right now and he is sure to have been well schooled for this his hurdling debut. Garter Knight looks to have a bit to find with our selection on a strict form line through Advisor, who he finished 12 lengths behind at Newbury last month. Blue Nymph has twice got her head in front on the level and she shapes as though she is worth a try over hurdles, while Master Fong showed up well on his hurdling debut but he failed to reproduce the form last time out. Barwell Bridge is put forward as the pick.
Barwell Bridge 2-1 (11-4) Raced keenly, in touch, effort 2 out, went second last, ridden and kept on flat, no impression, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Advisor (11-4) at Ascot 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft.
Beat The Shower 4-1 (8-13) Mid-division, came wide entering straight, never dangerous, 6th of 13, 16l behind Shadows Lengthen (8-10) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov (flat).
Decision 20-1 (8-6) Led, narrowly headed inside final furlong, driven and rallied under strong pressure to regain lead near finish, won at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct beating The Fifth Member (9-7) by nk, 15 ran (flat).
Descaro (USA) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, every chance approaching last, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 15, 1 3/4l behind Alazan (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Everaard (USA) 8-1 (9-0) Tracked leader on outside, driven along over 2f out, one pace and no impression over 1f out, 5th of 13, 14l behind Bow To No One (8-9) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct (flat).
Father Figure (USA) 100-1 (10-9) Chased leading pair until mistake and weakened 3 out, soon tailed off, no chance when hit last, 5th of 9, 50l behind Mille Chief (10-12) at Kempton 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Garter Knight 40-1 (10-12) In touch, pushed along after 2 out, kept on into modest 3rd before last, one pace and no impression on front pair, 3rd of 12, 12l behind Advisor (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Gilded Age 11-4 (10-12) In touch, raced keenly ridden when not fluent 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 17l behind Blazing Buck (10-9) at Sandown 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Group Leader (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Close up, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 14th of 16, 15l behind Amethyst Dawn (8-9) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Nov (flat).
Master Fong (IRE) 10-11fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, jumped slowly 5th, soon pushed along, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 10, 34l behind Monsieur Jourdain (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Nafaath (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Chased leaders early, 7th halfway, ridden in 10th 3f out, no extra and kept on one pace, 9th of 13, 17l behind Silverhand (9-7) at Curragh 1m 4f Listed stks sft in Oct (flat).
Regal Lyric (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, one pace, 5th of 15, 8l behind Alazan (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Toledo Gold (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened quickly 3 out, 10th of 13, well behind Kudu Country (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Tropical Bachelor (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) In touch, not fluent, went prominent after 3rd, weakening when veered badly left after 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Rupestrian (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Jul, 9 ran.
Blue Nymph 9-2 (9-0) Held up towards rear, never a factor, 6th of 8, 8l behind Dance The Star (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol (flat).
Luthien (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, challenged 4th, jumped left 4 out, weakened before next tailed off, last of 9, well behind Anak (11-5) at Kempton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft.
