made most, in command when hit last and stumbled, one reminder and came readily clear soon after
raced on inside, took keen hold, tracked leading pair until 3 out, weakened soon after, tailed off
tracked leading trio, went 3rd 3 out, stayed on to 2nd next, no chance with winner from last
disputed lead, ridden 3 out, ridden before lost 2nd 2 out, no extra in 3rd soon after
held up last, went modest 4th before and stumbled 2 out, tailed off
Last Shot has yet to show any potential since scoring on the Flat in the French Provinces and Beau Fighter has struggled on soft ground recently. Grafite has been running in much better company and Brendan Powell's claim will be a big help but this looks between Petit Ecuyer and HI NOTE. The former makes his handicap debut after four maiden runs which have shown him to have potential but it's Sheena West's filly who gets the nod as she has run up against some fair performers since her victory in a juvenile hurdle at Fontwell in September and is taken to regain winning ways.
Grafite 22-1 (10-2) Held up in mid-division, ridden after 5th, weakened well before last where jumped right and blundered, 11th of 13, well behind Safran De Cotte (9-10) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Dec.
Petit Ecuyer (FR) 20-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, challenged on outside when not fluent next, kept on and every chance last, ridden and edged left flat, no extra final 110 yards, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Close House (11-0) at Towcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Last Shot (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, every chance 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 15, 31l behind Lamps (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Nov.
Hi Note 5-1 (10-9) Made most until ridden and headed before 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Dark And Dangerous (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 3yo hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Beau Fighter 17-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4 out, under pressure when fell 2 out, in a race won by Manshoor (11-3) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
