led after 4th, headed after 4 out, every chance 2 out, 2 lengths down when fell last
chased leaders, led after 4 out, ridden after next, left clear last
led, headed after 4th, weakened after 3 out, left poor 2nd last
held up in touch, weakened approaching 6th
always behind, weakened from 5th
PIERROT LUNAIRE improved with every start last season and is fancied to win on his reappearance run; Squadron and Fushe Jo are the most interesting rivals. Officially rated 148, the selection finished second to Binocular last season before romping home on his final start over this course and distance. He is prominent in the Champion Hurdle betting however his form suggests that a flat track such as this suits best and this could be an early season target. Squadron ran well recently behind Crack Away Jack and looks a progressive sort that the stable excel with, however he looks more of a galloper and if this was a handicap then he would be getting 8lbs more off the selection. Fushe Jo represents a stable in flying form and can be expected to improve on his Novice form last season, whilst King Of The Beers and Pelennor are fighting it out for minor prize money. Possibly the reappearance of a hurdling star this season and Pierrot Lunaire can win again.
Pierrot Lunaire (USA) 5-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 4th, mistake next, led after 3 out, clear approaching last, stayed on strongly, won at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr beating Blue Bajan (11-0) by 14l, 14 ran.
Squadron 3-1fav (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, went 2nd and jumped right last, kept on, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Crack Away Jack (11-7) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl (2) gd.
Fushe Jo 4-6fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching and hit 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Act Sirius (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
King of The Beers (USA) 7-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway after 3rd, hampered 3 out, every chance after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 15, 21l behind Red Admiral (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Pelennor (FR) 20-1 (11-1) Tracked leader and keen, not fluent 1st, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Native City (11-7) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd, 16 ran.
