held up, headway to track leaders approaching 7th, hit 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leader, ridden to lead approaching last, driven out
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 4 out, jumped badly left last 2
held up, effort approaching 4 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders half way, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, mistake 5th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, pushed along approaching 7th, never dangerous
mid-division, tailed off after 6th, pulled up before 8th
This is tricky novice hurdle event and a narrow vote is given to Double Default, Cedrus Libani and Chief Dan George are the obvious dangers. The selection made a very pleasing hurdles debut when second to today's rival Chief Dan George. He went down by just three-quarters of a length with the rest well beaten off. On seven pounds better terms, and with improvement to come, he should easily reverse that form. Howard Johnson's Cedrus Libani caused a bit of a shock last time when beating a well regarded stable companion of the selection. There could be plenty more to come and he rates a big threat. Vicious Prince and Ocarina both have plenty of scope and are worth a mention, but Double Default appears to have the strongest form on show and he gets the verdict.
Cedrus Libani (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Young Albert (11-7) by 8l, 14 ran.
Chief Dan George (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 2 out, ridden last, held on towards finish, won at Hexham 3m mdn hdl (4) hvy beating Double Default (11-0) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Allegedly So (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) In touch, lost place 5th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Arctic Echo (10-13) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Cavers Glen 50-1 (10-4) Pulled hard, led 1st until hung badly left on bend after 5th, rallied after 4 out, outpaced after next, 5th of 13, 14l behind Hockenheim (10-12) at Carlisle 3m 1f mdn hdl (5) sft in Oct.
Contendo 100-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 6th of 16, well behind Bywell Beau (10-11) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) gs.
Double Default (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Held up, headway halfway, went 2nd between last 2, edged left and kept on flat, just held, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Chief Dan George (11-0) at Hexham 3m mdn hdl (4) hvy.
Ocarina (FR) 50-1 (11-0) In touch until not fluent and weakened from 4th, 5th of 11, 49l behind Astarador (11-5) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Tallahassee (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, lost place 5th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Chief Dan George (11-0) at Hexham 3m mdn hdl (4) hvy, 9 ran.
Vicious Prince (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, effort when not fluent 4 out, soon beaten, 5th of 11, well behind Ballyvoge (10-12) at Newcastle 3m mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Emily 33-1 (10-7) Soon tailed off, 12th of 17, well behind Issaquah (10-9) at Hexham 2m mrs nhf (5) gs in Nov.
