led, 3 lengths clear and going well when fell 2 out
mid-division in touch, outpaced 2 out, soon weakened
held up behind, headway when mistake 3 out, chased leaders on outside when hampered next, weakened before last
tracked leader to before 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, driven and effort between last 2, kept on same pace approaching last, no impression
mid-division, lost place 4th, behind from 3 out
held up in 3rd, tracked leader before 3 out, 3 lengths 2nd when left in clear lead next to before last, shaken up when pressed flat, driven clear final 75 yards
mid-division, outpaced when hampered by loose horse 2 out, never on terms
mid-division on inside, headway 2 out, went 2nd and closed on winner before last, ridden and every chance flat, no extra final 75 yards
behind, kept on under poressure approaching last, never near leaders
mid-division, in touch after 1st, mistake 4th, left 2nd briefly 2 out, soon outpaced, 5th and beaten when fell last
always behind, tailed off 2 out
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway after 3 out, chased winner after next to before last, kept on same pace, no chance with leading pair flat
mid-division, outpaced after 3 out, no impression from next
Second to the highly-rated Cue Card in the Champion Bumper at the Festival here in March, this looks a good opportunity for AL FEROF to make a winning start to his hurdling career. Runner-up at Huntingdon on his second visit to the racecourse, Roper is arguably the pick of those with previous experience though Pere Blanc should strip fitter for a run at Kempton. Prince Of Pirates disappointed in a bumper at the Curragh in May but shouldn't be written off just yet and Drumlang is improving with racing. The mare Madame Jasmine was second at Taunton last month but may lack the scope of some of her rivals.
Al Ferof (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Raced keenly, led driven over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 24, 8l behind Cue Card (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m N H flat G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Drumlang (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Held up behind, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, 4th of 14, 8l behind Chasing Aces (11-2) at Ludlow 2m NH flat (5) gs in Nov.
Ebony Diamond (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Keen tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, no impression on leaders, 4th of 8, 22l behind Megastar (11-0) at Ascot 2m hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Fun Guy 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4th, chased winner after 6th until approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 9, 30l behind Dark Lover (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Master Beau 20-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, stayed on inside final 2f, went 4th over 1f out, never dangerous, 4th of 8, 10l behind Ghizao (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m NH flat Listed (1) sft in Nov '09.
Master Milan (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Raced in rear, headway well over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened final furlong, 5th of 11, 16l behind Knight Pass (11-0) at Sandown 2m NH flat (5) gs in Nov.
Pere Blanc (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Towards rear, some headway from 2 out, never on terms, 7th of 17, 39l behind Bobs Worth (10-12) at Kempton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Nov.
Prince Of Pirates (IRE) 5-2 (11-11) Soon chased leaders, well off pace, hampered over 2f out, soon no impression and kept on, 6th of 14, 9l behind Shop Dj (11-1) at Curragh 2m N H flat in May.
Richmond (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Held up and behind, headway 4th, chased leaders 3 out, one pace from next, 4th of 16, 11l behind High Benefit (10-5) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Robin De Creuse (FR) 18-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 4th, headway next, went 3rd after 3 out, faltered on landing next, weakened flat, 5th of 16, 12l behind Gibb River (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Robin Will (FR) 50-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, some headway after 3 out, never in contention, tailed off, 7th of 15, well behind Kid Cassidy (11-0) at Newbury 2m NH mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Roper (IRE) 28-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway when not fluent 3 out, mistake last, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Muldoon's Picnic (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Running Upthathill (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off, 10th of 15, well behind Kid Cassidy (11-0) at Newbury 2m NH mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Tanwood Boy (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 16, 39l behind High Benefit (10-5) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Thoresby (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Headway to mid-division approaching 4th, chased leaders 3 out, stayed on same pace before next, 5th of 16, 13l behind High Benefit (10-5) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Madame Jasmine 14-1 (10-5) Mid-divsion, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner last, no chance, 2nd of 9, 13l behind Dark Lover (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
