chased leaders and mistakes, weakenening when blundered 2 out
chased clear leaders, went 2nd 5th, led approaching 2 out, clear when hit last
mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out
chased clear leader until 5th, soon weakened
held up, headway after 3 out, no impression
held up mid-division, headway 3 out, no impression from 2 out
mid-division, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression
led, raced keen and soon clear until 3 out, weakened and headed approaching next
mid-division, never on terms
held up, some headway 3 out, no impression
Tamimi's History can get us off to a winning start in the opener but Seeking The Buck is a fascinating newcomer and First Buddy merits respect. The three named runners all have entries in the Triumph Hurdle and will need to run big races today to cement their place in the line-up. The selection boasts a very similar profile to Faasel who came within a head of victory at Cheltenham and represents the same connections. He ran a respectable race on debut and is closely matched with First Buddy on a line through the second, Los Nadis. These conditions promise to suit him better than they do Alan Swinbank's runner. Seeking The Buck showed a fair level of form on the Flat but makes his hurdling bow without the headgear that he sported at the end of the summer. Connections will be hopeful of recouping some of the 90,000 gns purchase price but his lack of experience is a negative and it remains to be seen how well suited he'll be to the track and ground. Tamimi's History is the solid option and is awarded our vote.
Bret Maverick (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Held up and behind, raced keenly, not fluent 1st, weakened approaching 4th, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Prideus (11-0) at Warwick 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
First Buddy 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway from 4 out to chase winner 2 out, driven and kept on one pace, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Los Nadis (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Hernando Cortes 6-1 (10-12) Always behind, 8th of 13, 46l behind La Vecchia Scuola (10-5) at Catterick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Isaac Newton (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Prominent until jumped slowly 1st, mid-division, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, 14th of 18, well behind Furmigadelagiusta (10-11) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Linlithgow (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up, no chance from 5th, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind Metaphoric (10-12) at Warwick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Marju's Gold 4-1 (10-12) Steadied start, raced keenly in rear, headway 3rd, weakened 3 out, soon tailed off, last of 11, well behind Serabad (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Seeking The Buck (USA) 5-4fav (9-2) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, edged right 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 6l behind Gyroscope (8-13) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcap (3) gd in Sept (Flat).
Starstruck Peter (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, mistake and ridden from 2nd, no extra from 4 out, completely tailed off, 15th of 18, well behind Maca Rince (10-2) at Thurles 2m 3yo mdn hdl gs in Nov.
Tamimi's History 7-2 (11-0) Mid-division, smooth headway 4 out, ridden next and soon one pace, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Act Sirius (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Vanquisher (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced approaching 3 out, no impression from next, 9th of 18, 20l behind Songe (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Watch Out 5-1 (10-0) Held up mid-division, ridden before 5th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Young Yozza (11-6) at Leicester 2m nov clm hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 12 ran.
Wildhuter (GER) 15-2 (10-12) In rear, mistakes, ridden and outpaced 7th, no impression on leaders after, 4th of 6, 13l behind Bathwick Breeze (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Cat Six (USA) 33-1 (10-0) Hampered on bend after 1st and lost place, led 2nd, headed 3rd, hit 4th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 14, 15l behind Majaales (11-8) at Chepstow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Ishismart 150-1 (10-0) Led and raced keenly, stumbled badly and fell 5 out in race won by Space Mission (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 13 ran.
