led, hit 2nd, not fluent 3rd, ridden before 2 out, stayed on well run-in
took keen hold in midfield, not fluent 6th, pushed along before 3 out, stayed on same pace run-in
midfield, ridden before 2 out where not fluent, kept on well run-in but no match for winner
took keen hold, held up in last, not fluent 6th, ridden 2 out, stayed on same pace run-in
held up in rear, headway to chase leader 6th, pushed along 2 out, soon lost 2nd, blundered and weakened last
chased leader, ridden before 2 out where mistake, kept on run-in but lost 2nd close home
CABRAKAN has the advantage of a hurdling debut at Exeter under his belt. He ran well for second on that occasion and today’s cheekpieces may also help bring improvement. The remainder arrive fresh from racing on the Flat and have their first outings over timber. Ring Of Beara is rated the highest on the level though Tessy Lad won at Wolverhampton last month and Freddy Robinson went close in a seller at Redcar. Swift Tuttle and Super Stars have both recently switched yards.
Cabrakan (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Close up, disputed lead 4 out, ridden before 2 out, switched left and kept on run-in, always held, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Romancero Le Dun (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gs in Nov.
Freddy Robinson 5-2 (9-0) Chased leading pair, went 2nd inside final 3f, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, still challenging when leant on by winner then bumped 110 yards out, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Bashful (9-2) at Redcar 1m stks (5) hvy in Nov.
Ring Of Beara (FR) 100-1 (8-4) Raced wide in touch, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 11th of 21, 21 1/2l behind Metier (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Nov.
Super Stars (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) Prominent, pushed along over 2f out, weakened from over 1f out, 8th of 10, 8 1/2l behind At Liberty (9-8) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Swift Tuttle (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Tracked winner, ridden to join winner from over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 4th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Red Derek (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (5) hvy in Oct.
Tessy Lad (IRE) 2-1fav (9-8) Close 3rd, went 2nd after 2f, led over 2f out, clear when ridden over 1f out, reduced lead towards finish, held on gamely, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Oct beating Percy Willis (10-3) by nk, 11 ran.
