made all, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on under pressure flat, just held on
prominent until 3rd, soon tailed off
tracked leaders, pressed winner from 3 out, ridden after 2 out, ran on well flat, just failed
prominent until weakened approaching 8th
held up, mistake 5th, soon outpaced, headway after 8, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, headway approaching 8th, ridden and weakened 3 out
Paul Nicholls has had great success in recent seasons switching chasers back to hurdles to take advantage of a lenient mark and it will be a surprise if his representative here Phar From A Fiddle is not good enough to get the better of Roman Court and Americanconnection. The last mentioned has shown little sign of ability so far but is trained by Martin Pipe so cannot be discounted lightly. Roman Court holds more solid claims. Robert Alner's gelding showed improved form on his recent return at Uttoxeter when a two-length third behind Serious Position. Redouble has shown a modicum of ability but Phar From A Fiddle should be too classy for them all. Rated 104 when last seen over hurdles in October 2001, the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding has been a consistent performer over fences since then, winning a handicap at Fontwell on his latest start earlier this month. The return to hurdling should not inconvenience the seven-year-old, who looks the one to beat.
