never better than mid-division, lost place before 4 out, no danger after
held up behind, headway 5th, tracked leaders 4 out, went 4th 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no chance with clear trio
raced keenly, tracked leaders, led 3rd, made rest, drew readily clear after 2 out, very easily
tracked leaders, driven to chase front pair after 3 out, ridden between last 2, stayed on to take narrow 2nd final strides, no chance with winner
went right 1st, always in rear, tailed off 4 out
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never threatened leaders
mid-division, lost place 4 out, weakening when blundered next, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, outpaced before next, well held after
held up behind, headway 3 out, kept on same pace, never troubled leaders
led to 3rd, tracked winner, readily outpaced 2 out, soon ridden and no chance after, lost 2nd final strides
mid-division, driven after 3 out, never near leaders, ridden and weakened before last
Delirant won a Grade 1 bumper in France and could be anything but makes his hurdling debut after an 18-month break. Henry Smith won five times on the Flat over 1m4f. he’s joined an in-form jumping yard so is respected while dual bumper winner Secret Escape is lightly raced for her age and only found one too good on her hurdles bow at Exeter. FAIR MOUNTAIN was a Listed winner on the Flat in Germany. Odds-on on his hurdling debut at Ludlow, he gave outsider Takbeer too much rope and failed to peg back the all-the-way winner but he’ll know more today and can recoup losses.
Bignorm (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Held up last, some late headway, never on terms, 8th of 14, 24 3/4l behind Nobby (10-12) at Warwick 2m (5) gd in May.
Delirant (FR) (10-1) won at Saint-Cloud 1m 4f Grp 1 stks (1) hvy in Nov beating Divine Sainte (9-12) by 4l, 8 ran.
Fair Mountain (GER) 10-11fav (11-0) Held up in rear, headway after 4 out, went 13 lengths 2nd 3 out, kept on but never catching winner, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Takbeer (11-0) at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in May.
Henry Smith 9-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, driven to challenge over 2f out, stayed on into 3rd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Mixboy (9-5) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Man Of The North 66-1 (10-12) Towards rear when blundered 2nd, behind and struggling after, 9th of 13, dist behind Telegraph Place (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) gs in May.
No Alarm (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up, outpaced 4 out, headway under pressure to go 3rd approaching last, kept on, 4th of 7, 12 1/4l behind Potters Midnight (10-11) at Fakenham 2m mdn (3) hvy in Jan.
Tim Rocco (GER) (9-0) 10th of 12, dist behind Amun (8-9) at Dresden 1m 3f lst stks (1) gd in Nov.
Compatriot (IRE) 11-4 (10-8) Held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, 5th and just about in touch 3 out, 4th on last bend, soon well beaten, 4th of 7, dist behind Let's Sway (10-1) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gd in May.
Shackles 40-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, 10th of 13, 28l behind Subcontinent (11-0) at Perth 2m mdn (4) gd in May.
May Mist 66-1 (11-0) Tended to jump right, led, headed before mistake 3 out, blundered and weakened next, 9th of 15, dist behind Melangerie (11-6) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Secret Escape (IRE) 1-3fav (10-12) Tracked leader and keen, every chance 3 out, kept on and always well held by winner, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Tillythetank (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) gd in May.
Katebird (IRE) 40-1 (10-5) Towards rear, not fluent 1st, mistake next, well beaten 4 out, 10th of 14, dist behind Fort Jefferson (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f mdn (5) gd in May.
