led, mistake 5th, mistake and narrowly headed 4 out, stayed chasing leaders under pressure until weakened and mistake 2 out
close up, chased leaders, approaching 3 out, weakened before next
always in rear, tailed off 4 out
in touch, hit 4th, headway to chase leaders 6th, weakened 2 out
raced awkwardly with head on one side, chased leader, led 4 out, pecked and headed 3 out, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders until weakened rapidly after 5th, tailed off when pulled up after next
in touch, headway to chase leaders 5th led 3 out, mistake and headed 2 out, weakend between last 2
held up towards rear, headway on outside before 3 out, led 2 out, headed last, no chance with winner flat
held up in rear, steady headway soon after 3 out, tracked leader soon after next, led and mistake last, drew clear flat
mistakes, always in rear, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway after 4 out to chase leadeing pair 2 out, no impression last
HORSFORD did it well at Chepstow and may be able to follow up at the main expense of Taffy Thomas and Shakalakaboomboom. The selection has plenty of stamina in his pedigree and it was no surprise to see him start his hurdling career off over staying trips but he seemed to relish being asked to make the running over two and a half miles at Chepstow where he galloped on resolutely to the line. He has to prove as effective under faster conditions but is given the chance to do so. Taffy Thomas was a long way behind him in a bumper but produced a career best when scoring over two miles here last time and his pedigree offers some hope that he'll be equally effective at this trip. Universal Soldier and Shakalakaboomboom should have more to offer whilst Long Strand would be a threat to all if finally able to translate his form in bumpers to hurdling but preference is for Horsford.
Horsford (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Led, headed 3 out, ridden to lead again after next, soon hard pressed, stayed on well under pressure flat, won at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Pension Plan (10-12) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
Taffy Thomas 10-1 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, led 2 out, driven out, won at Ffos Las 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan beating Secret Stash (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran.
Books Review 100-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 7th of 14, 18l behind Taffy Thomas (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Double Target 11-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4f out, ridden over 3f out, one pace, 6th of 12, 13l behind Express Leader (11-4) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (5) sft in Nov '08.
Long Strand (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Soon led, jumped left 4th, strongly pressed and headed before last, soon dropped to 3rd and kept on same pace, 3rd of 20, 4 1/2l behind Montan (11-4) at Down Royal 2m 4f 6yo mdn hdl hvy.
Pouliguen (FR) 14-1 (10-6) Soon towards rear, driven and struggling when pulled up after 7th, in a race won by Herons Well (10-6) at Ffos Las 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Shakalakaboomboom (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway over 6f out, chased winner over 5f out, tried to challenge as winner, ran green from 2f out, ridden over 1f out, readily held final furlong, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Ramses De Marcigny (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f NH flat (5) sft in Dec.
Silver Token 33-1 (11-0) Not fluent, always in rear, struggling 5th, soon tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Be There In Five (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Universal Soldier (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, hit 5th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on from last, 5th of 13, 27l behind Chartreux (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Witch's Hat (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Mid-division, struggling from 4th, tailed off, 8th of 15, well behind Fahrisee (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f NH mdn hdl (4) gs.
Lucaindubai (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, in touch, steadied after 3f, headway over 5f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 26l behind Cue Card (10-7) at Fontwell 1m 6f NH flat (6) sft in Jan.
