held up in touch, headway after 4 out, mistake next, led before last, soon clear, easily
tracked leader, mistake 2nd, hit 5th, weakened quickly 5 out, pulled up next
prominent, not fluent 1st, lost place 4th, weakened 3 out
in rear, under pressure after 3rd, soon reluctant and behind, pulled up before 4th
led, strongly challenged from 3 out, headed before last, soon weakened
chased leaders, driven to challenge before 3 out, soon every chance, weakened last
chased leaders, under pressure 4 out, soon weakened, moderate 4th
FIREBIRD FLYER won a chase at Ludlow last month but is equally at home over the smaller obstacles. He went close in a higher grade hurdle race at Chepstow on his penultimate start and a repeat should see him home and dry in this. Benefit Of Youth was placed in a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter recently and that looks superior form to Bravo Bravo's earlier win in lesser company at Chepstow while Elton Fox was well beaten on his handicap debut back in January and the jury is out on him for now along with Riptide.
Firebird Flyer (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Prominent, led 2nd until 3rd, close up, waited with in 3rd from 4 out until produced to lead last, ran on well, won at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Nov beating Ballyoliver (11-8) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Elton Fox 11-2 (10-11) Tracked winner until mistake 4th, jumped right and went 2nd again next, went right 6th, soon ridden in 3rd, weakened from 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 9, well behind Quinte Du Chatelet (11-7) at Hereford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Jan.
Riptide 20-1 (10-12) With leaders, driven 6th, lost place 8th, kept on under pressure from 3 out, 6th of 13, 21l behind Fred The Shred (10-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy.
Victor Echo (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Mid-division, when blundered and unseated rider 5th, in a race won by Bendant (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 5f beg chs (4) hvy, 8 ran.
Benefit Of Youth (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 2nd, headed before 6th, mistake 2 out, ridden and no extra last, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Joseph Mercer (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Fishoutofwater (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) Mid-division, headway 7th, outpaced after next, ridden and weakened after 4 out, tailed off, 10th of 13, 48l behind Fred The Shred (10-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy.
Bravo Bravo 8-1 (10-7) Tracked leader until ridden 3 out, keeping on one pace when left 2nd at last, 2nd of 11, 11l behind Okafranca (10-4) at Taunton 3m nov hcp 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
