held up in rear, not fluent, well beaten from 3 out
always prominent, not fluent 5th, switched right and challenging when jumped left last, soon led, drew clear flat, stayed on strongly
held up rear of mid-division, closed from 4 out, not much room after 3 out, switched right before 2 out, soon ridden, went 2nd close home, no impression on winner
prominent on outside, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, well beaten from 3 out
led, ridden and joined last, soon headed, no impression on winner flat, lost 2nd close home
mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway 3 out, mistake 2 out, 5th and weakening last
held up in touch, driven after 2 out, 4th and no extra last
held up towards rear, mistake 6th, well beaten from 3 out
Pleasant Man was a useful middle-distance performer on the Flat and is surely better than he showed when making his hurdling debut in a Grade 2 at the start of the year – he’s had wind surgery since. Jaramillo has found only one too good on a couple of occasions and Nollyador had decent form in bumpers. Gaelic Park has won a point and a bumper but was very disappointing on his hurdles bow. Etalon didn’t quite last home when second over 2m3f at Warwick but the form hasn’t worked out. Our Marty didn’t beat much at Perth so this can go to STRONG LEADER, who was very novicey at Uttoxeter but still won as he liked and gave the impression there was plenty more in the locker.
Our Marty (FR) 11-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, blundered 1st, not fluent 4th, headway before 2 out, switched right approaching last, led flat, stayed on well, won at Perth 2m (4) gd in Sep beating The Kniphand (10-12) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Strong Leader 4-6fav (11-0) Held up, smooth headway home turn, ridden to challenge 2 out, every chance when upsides last, ran on well flat and went clear, won at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Nov beating Idealdes Villerets (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Etalon (IRE) 16-5 (11-0) Held up in touch, switched left and went 2nd jumping normal 2 out, held final 100 yards, kept on, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Gunnery Officer (11-0) at Warwick 2m 3f (4) gs in Nov.
Gaelic Park (IRE) 15-8fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching last, 6th of 10, 16 3/4l behind Paddy The Horse (11-4) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Governor Green (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, well beaten 3 out, 10th of 15, 22 1/4l behind Tahmuras (11-4) at Chepstow 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Jaramillo 8-1 (11-6) Led, pushed before 2 out, ridden and headed after last, kept on well, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Despereaux (10-4) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Nollyador (FR) 3-1 (11-5) Held up off the pace in last pair, smoot headway out wide tracking leader 4f out, led 3f out, ridden and headed inside final 2f, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Lookaway (11-5) at Newbury 2m (4) sft in Feb.
Pleasant Man 6-1 (10-12) Awkward 1st, chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before next, at Kempton 2m (1) gs in Feb.
Uncle Arthur 3-1fav (10-13) Tracked leader 1st, hung left after 3 out, lost 2nd before 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, dist behind Palace Boy (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Oct.
