Maiden pointer Iconic Hero did finish ahead of Caracas on his debut under Rules but will surely need further. Swaffham Bulbeck won a Fakenham maiden in March but was beaten back in novice company at Market Rasen, though the first two pulled well clear. BOLTISSIME is a half-brother to two middle-distance winners but showed himself to be well suited to hurdles in two runs in France. Now with Richard Newland, further improvement is almost guaranteed and he can shrug off an absence.
Caracas 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, reminders before 5 out, in 3rd and held when blundered 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 4, 29l behind True Romance (10-12) at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Jun.
Iconic Hero (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, mistake last, never on terms, 5th of 10, 10l behind Ruthless Article (11-2) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f mdn (5) gd in May.
Swaffham Bulbeck (IRE) 6-5fav (10-12) Led, pushed along before 2 out, soon hard pressed, headed run-in, no extra, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Siannes Star (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gd in May.
Boltissime (FR) (10-10) 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Falbala Des Mottes (10-7) at Lyon-Parilly 2m 1f gs in Sep.
Handsome Bob (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up mid-division on outside, outpaced after 3 out, never on terms, weakened before last, 7th of 10, 22 1/4l behind Nimby (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) gd in May.
Misu Bula 50-1 (10-5) Held up, always behind, weakened 2 out, last of 10, 35 1/2l behind Nimby (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) gd in May.
