CADORE, three times a runner-up on the Flat for Peter Chapple-Hyam, has at least 20lb in hand of these on his form on the level and made a highly satisfactory debut over timber behind Mica Mika at Wetherby a week ago. He's been found a simple task to gain his first success over hurdles. The filly Erycina showed nothing on the Flat and was a 125/1 chance on her hurdling bow at Market Rasen but she ran well enough to suggest she could pick up a little race over timber at some stage. Abernethy has been beaten a long way on both starts over hurdles and was well behind on the Flat at Wolverhampton last month while Illustration, a winner on the level at Catterick in October, didn't look a natural jumper at Wetherby the following month. Phoenix Returns hasn't shown any real promise in bumpers but is bred for jumping and may do better.
Abernethy (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 6th, well held when mistake and demoted to 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 6, 45l behind Kie (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Illustration (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along 3rd, not fluent 4th, ridden after 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 11, 43l behind School For Scandal (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Erycina (IRE) 125-1 (10-0) Held up in rear but in touch, mistake 4th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on well after last, never nearer, moderate 3rd, 3rd of 7, 20l behind Royal Opera (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Cadore (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4 out, challenged next, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, one pace when switched left flat, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Mica Mika (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 3yo hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Phoenix Returns (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Towards rear and pushed along, effort over 3f out, never a factor, 9th of 16, 23l behind Chancery (10-12) at Haydock 1m 5f n h flat 3yo (6) gs in Nov.
