held up in rear, nudged along before 7th, always behind, tailed off
held up towards rear, ridden and no impression after 3 out
held up in mid-division, 7th and ridden after 3 out, no impression, well beaten next
prominent, took keen hold, 5th when not fluent 2 out, stayed on same pace
held up towards rear, ridden and struggling after 6th
chased leaders, not fluent 2nd or 7th, mistake 3 out, ridden and outpaced before 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last
chased leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, driven and looked held 3 1/2 lengths down when slightly hampered and left clear last
mid-division on outside, hit 7th, headway 3 out, ridden before 2 out, stayed on same pace, left 3rd last
held up towards rear, ridden after 7th, 8th before 2 out, no impression on leaders
prominent, jumped right and not fluent 4th, led before 2 where went slighty right, 3 1/2 lengths clear when dived right and fell last
held up in rear, mistake 5th and rider having tack problems briefly, not fluent 6th, mistake 3 out, no impression
led, ridden after 3 out, headed before next, stayed on same pace after, left 2nd last, no impression on winner
A good contest with FOXCUB taken to maintain the fine start to the season made by Tom Symonds. A Fontwell romp was backed up by a highly laudable third place finish behind First In The Queue at Cheltenham's opening meeting of the season, suggesting he remains very much on the upgrade. Understandably, he has taken a hike in the weights for his efforts but still appeals as being fairly treated here. Beachfire, an ex-Gosden performer on the level, has gone well on all four hurdling starts for John Ferguson and inhabits an acceptable mark for this handicap bow. Expect him to be on the premises, likewise Sound Investment for the Paul Nicholls team. The latter remains unexposed and the former champion trainer usually has his charges ready to roll after an absence. Union Saint and Halifax also deserve a mention in a competitive affair.
Bathwick Brave (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, reminder approaching 5th, headway next, outpaced after 4 out, rallied 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Oscar Magic (11-2) at Haydock 2m 4f (3) gs in Mar.
Union Saint (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Held up in last, headway approaching 9th, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 14, 6l behind Sheriff Hutton (11-0) at Newton Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gf in Aug.
Beachfire 15-8 (11-4) Took keen hold early, tracked leaders in 4th, mistake 5th, pushed along in 3rd before 2 out, driven in 2nd and no chance with unchallenged winner after 2 out, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Zamdy Man (10-12) at Ascot 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs.
Sound Investment (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Made all, driven clear before last, very easily, won at Wincanton 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Henryville (11-5) by 9l, 10 ran.
Decoy (FR) 6-1 (11-9) Led, hampered by loose horse and stumbled after 3 out, soon headed, weakened before last, 6th of 10, 26l behind Bally Legend (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Oct.
Jetnova (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Held up in mid-division, ridden after 5th, well beaten 3 out, bad mistake 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind One Lucky Lady (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in May.
Carrigmorna King (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway on outside to chase leaders 3 out(normal 4 out), hung left and no extra bypassing omitted 2 out, 6th of 12, 13l behind Hidden Identity (10-9) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in Oct.
Balzaccio (FR) 25-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 10th, went 2nd 2 out, every chance last, held towards finish, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Kasbadali (11-0) at Ascot 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Apr '12.
Halifax (IRE) 5-4fav (11-5) Led, mistake 6th, pushed along before 3 out, soon headed, ridden before 2 out, soon outpaced, 4th of 11, 17l behind Loose Preformer (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Foxcub (IRE) 3-1fav (10-7) Mid-division, jumped slowly 4th, went 5th and ridden 3 out, jumped right and not fluent 2 out, 3rd and one pace before last, 3rd of 12, 13l behind First In The Queue (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Look For Love 8-1 (11-3) Behind, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on run-in, snatched 2nd close home, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Seebright (11-11) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Apr.
Bygones Sovereign (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Led 1st to 5th, remained in touch until lost place approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 30l behind Royal Native (11-6) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
