in touch, frequent reminders, hit 3rd, ridden after next, went 4th approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway 5th, weakened before next
took keen hold tracking leaders, went 2nd after 5th, led 2 out, clear last, stayed on strongly
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
took keen hold, mid-division, headway to track leaders 2nd, weakened after 3rd, tailed off
prominent, not fluent 4th, ridden when headed and hit 2 out, held when not fluent last
chased leaders until 2nd, soon behind
took keen hold, prominent, led 3rd until after 5th, soon weakened
soon behind, pulled up before 2nd
led until 3rd, hit next, chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden after 5th, weakened before next
mid-division, reminders after 2nd, not fluent 4th, soon ridden, weakened after 5th, tailed off
mid-division, headway 3rd, weakened approaching 5th, tailed off
in touch until 3rd, soon behind
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 5th, ridden into 3rd approaching 3 out, never on terms with leading pair
A competitive start to proceedings and we will side with FISTRAL BEACH to get the better of Winged D'Argent and Belcantista. The selection hails from the Paul Nicholls yard and he was an impressive winner on his debut when he beat his stable-mate Our Bomber Harris in a bumper at Newton Abbott. He could be a smart recruit to the hurdling game and he looks the one they all have to beat. Winged D'Argent is eased in grade today after being well beaten last time out, but he has got course and distance winning form and he will go on the ground and this former smart flat performer is respected. Belcantista has got some decent form in France and Phillip Hobbs does well with his recruits from this part of the world. He will relish these ground conditions and he is certainly one to note in the market. Tago Mago was well beaten on his debut at Uttoxeter and he looks the stable second-string here. Fistral Beach could be quite useful and he is put forward as the pick.
Winged d'Argent (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Held up, niggled along 5th, weakened approaching 4 out, last of 10, well behind Hell's Bay (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct.
Ayemdee (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Towards rear, some headway approaching four out, soon weakened, 7th of 15, 47l behind The Gossmoor Yank (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs.
Belcantista (FR) (10-9) Never threatened, 7th of 20, 20l behind Nono Des Ongrais (11-3) at Auteuil 2m 5f hdl hvy in May.
Bukhara (FR) 66-1 (10-12) Pulled hard, in rear, weakened after 5th, tailed off 3 out and pulled up at the last in race won by Norman The Great (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gd, 16 ran.
Custers Last Stand (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Prominent, jumped right and mistake 5th, soon led, headed next, soon led again, headed approaching 3 out, weakened, 11th of 16, 37l behind Hunters Ploy (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Fistral Beach (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) Prominent, headway to chase leaders 7f out, ridden to lead 2f out, pushed out, comfortably, won at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Apr beating Our Bomber Harris (10-6) by 3 1/2l, 16 ran.
He Be Cornish 100-1 (10-11) Hit 1st, always behind, 13th of 14, well behind Cresswell Ruby (10-10) at Exeter 2m 7f amt nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Hey Big Spender (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Prominent, led after 2f briefly, led again 6f out, headed 4f out and weakened 2f out, 4th of 16, 8l behind Pause And Clause (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gs.
How Are You Going (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Held up, headway approaching 6th, weakened 9th, tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Great Endeavour (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Manmoon (FR) 66-1 (11-4) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 40l behind Express Leader (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nhf (5) sft.
Swainson (USA) 66-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from 3 out, 4th of 12, 12l behind Dan Buoy (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gf in Aug '07.
Tago Mago (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Held up mid-division, tracked leaders halfway, ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f, 5th of 11, 20l behind Bakbenscher (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Whenallelsefails 50-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, no impression, 13th of 14, 49l behind West Ridge (11-2) at Wincanton 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec '06.
Flag Flier 50-1 (10-6) In touch, jumped slowly 6th, soon weakened, 9th of 11, well behind Fairoak Lad (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Lady of Lorne (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Led for 2f, prominent until ridden and weakened 3f out, 11th of 15, 14l behind Yonder (10-5) at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) gf in Oct '07.
Shenanigan Groom Dancer filly, half-sister to 3 winners between 6f & 1m4f.
Alfatrix (IRE) 200-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 17, 25l behind Award Winner (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs.
Nosler (IRE) 2-1 (10-12) Chased leader until pecked and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Darstardly Dick (10-9) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct, 10 ran.
