slightly bumped 1st, in touch on outside until reminders after 5th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
made all, drew clear after 3 out, not fluent next, kept up to work until eased flat
took keen hold, slightly hampered 1st, tracked leaders, reminder after 6th, chased winner next until after 4 out, one pace in 3rd from next
held up in touch, chased winner after 9th, not much room on inside and hit birch upright on doll after 3 out, soon beaten
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
PHEIDIAS is not without quirks but he has an opportunity to see off Haldibari and Mvuto. Pam Sly's charge has been kept over chase fences where he has been on his best behaviour. On the official ratings, he will struggle to get such an easy opportunity over the smaller obstacles. Haldibari has a winners penalty to give away but the handicapper seems to have pretty much ruled him out of anything other than the novice events. Mvuto did not achieve a great deal with Clive Cox on the flat but there was enough encouragement to be gleaned from her most recent effort at Huntingdon. Mzuri Bay has become much more consistent for the application of a tongue strap and is sure to run his race. Downward Spiral has been easy to back in similar events whilst ex-pointer Tucumcari is one to note in the market. Pheidias is the selection.
Billy Smith 50-1 (11-8) Prominent to 9th, tailed off, 10th of 17, well behind Dew Drop Inn (11-12) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gd in Nov.
Downward Spiral (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent, mistake 3rd, well held in 3rd approaching 3 out until lost position last, 4th of 6, 14l behind Firm Order (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Mzuri Bay 16-1 (10-13) Chased leading pair, pushed along to challenge 3 out, soon upsides, ridden to lead and edged left flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1l behind American World (10-13) at Worcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Pheidias (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Held up in touch, headway to challenge 13th, led next, made rest, driven and stayed on from 2 out, in command when idled and ridden towards finish, won at Fakenham 3m nov chs (3) gf beating The Ferbane Man (10-13) by 3l, 6 ran.
Tucumcari (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders on outside, ridden after 6th, weakened approaching 7th, 5th of 9, 41l behind Worth A King's (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Haldibari (IRE) 9-4fav (10-8) Close up, led approaching 5th, headed last, kept on run-in, just held, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Norisan (10-1) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Mvuto 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led after 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 16, 9l behind Legion D'honneur (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
