never going well, towards rear, reminders after 4th, brief effort 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
chased winner, hit 5th, lost 2nd approaching last, stayed on same pace
raced wide, mid-division, jumped slowly 5th, headway 7th, one pace from 2 out
made all, blundered 2 out, ridden and stayed on gamely flat
reminders after 3rd, well behind from 6th, tailed off
held up, in touch, ridden when not fluent 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up, in touch, mistake 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon hard ridden, chased winner approaching last, one pace flat
always behind and lost touch approaching 7th, tailed off
jumped badly, pulled hard in rear, driven and headway 7th, weakened quickly approaching 3 out, tailed off
prominent, driven and lost place approaching 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
This looks the easiest opportunity Rifleman has had in his hurdling career and he is a confident choice to beat Noble Calling and Gabor. Peter Bowen's five-year-old was highly tried last season, taking on the likes of Blue Business and My Way De Solzen. He wasn't beaten far in a decent handicap hurdle last time and dropping to selling companytoday he will be very hard to beat. Gabor ran well in a similar race to this last time and although he has something to find on official ratings, he should still be involved in the finish. Noble Calling was strongly fancied for a Towcester seller last time but was put in his place by the 84 rated Indian Star. His official rating may not be a true reflection of his ability and the best he can hope for is some place money. The rest make little appeal and so it looks quite an easy task for our selection Rifleman.
Noble Calling (FR) 7-2jt-fav (11-8) In touch, ridden 3 out, mistake 2 out, chased clear leader last, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Indian Star (10-12) at Towcester 2m sll hdl (G) sft.
Gabor 5-1 (11-3) Prominent, led 3rd, ridden when hit 3 out, headed soon after, faded, 4th of 9, 10l behind Indian Star (10-12) at Towcester 2m sll hdl (G) sft.
Dancinginthestreet 100-1 (9-9) Weakened 6th, hit 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by By Degree (10-13) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy, 11 ran.
Eastwood Drifter (USA) 2-1 (12-0) 4th of 5, well behind Fort Apache (12-0) at Bonvilston 3m ptp gs in May.
Rifleman (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, beaten when hit last, 3rd of 9, 19l behind Miss Shakira (10-4) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs in Sept.
Spike Jones (NZ) 10-1 (11-8) Pulled hard, mistake 1st, led next, headed 6th, weakened quickly and pulled up 2 out in race won by Madison de Vonnas (11-12) at Plumpton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
Cybele Eria (FR) 18-1 (9-12) Ridden after 6th, hit 7th, always towards rear, tailed off, 9th of 13, well behind Red Nose Lady (10-9) at Stratford 2m 3f clm hdl (F) gf in Aug.
Pedler's Profiles 14-1 (10-11) Towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, switched to challenge approaching next, not fluent last, no extra, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Sir Walter (11-2) at Worcester 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gd in Aug '04.
