chased (clear) leader until before the last (normal 2 out) weakened quickly, tailed off
always in rear, untidy 2nd, soon struggling, moderate late headway
held up in last trio, never involved
held up in 5th, good headway into 2nd before the last (normal 2 out) until not much room on rail home turn, rallied to lead final 270 yards
off the pace in last pair, unbalanced and took false step turning in, never on terms, eased soon after
raced keenly, prominent in chasing group, plugged on in modest 3rd final 270 yards
wore hood to post, prominent in chasing group, headway out wide before the last (normal 2 out), went 2nd home turn, led and hung left bypassing last, headed and no extra final 270 yards
raced freely, led and soon clear, reduced lead before 2 out, (normal 3 out) headed bypassing the last, weakened soon after
A bumper winner in France, Iberico Lord debuts over hurdles in the McManus colours having joined Nicky Henderson’s yard. Springwell Bay made a winning debut over hurdles when scoring at Carlisle and Ukantango is a dual novice winner over timber having scored at Wetherby last month. But FENNOR CROSS made a successful trip over to this venue when landing a maiden hurdle over track and trip with Deere Mark well beaten and John McConnell’s charge is preferred to compatriot and surprise Listed winner She Is Electric. Fascinating Shadow made a winning debut over hurdles at Cork back in May and could also go well while Father Of Jazz gets his first taste of hurdling having won three times on the all-weather when trained by Roger Varian.
Deere Mark 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, hampered 4th, headway after next, chased winner before last, no impression, kept on, 2nd of 11, 6 1/2l behind Fennor Cross (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m mdn (3) gd in Oct.
Desert Friend (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, took keen hold, headway 3 out, 5th and no extra before last, 5th of 10, 17 1/4l behind Mofasa (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gd in Oct.
Fascinating Shadow (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden to close behind leaders 2f out, soon slightly hampered, no extra inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 3 3/4l behind Golden Twilight (10-2) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Oct.
Fennor Cross (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, left in lead 3 out, drew well clear from last, easily, won at Cheltenham 2m mdn (3) gd in Oct beating Deere Mark (11-4) by 6 1/2l, 11 ran.
Iberico Lord (FR) (9-10) won at Le Lion D'angers 1m 7f sft in May beating In The Mix (9-7) by 2l, 11 ran.
Springwell Bay 2-5fav (11-0) Went right 1st, tracked leaders in 3rd, hit 5th, 2nd going well before 3 out, led approaching next, quickened clear run-in, eased towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) gs in Oct beating Iorens (10-6) by 3 1/4l, 9 ran.
Ukantango (IRE) 6-5fav (11-6) Wore hood to post, led until 2nd, chased leader, pushed along before 3 out, edged left before next, led final 150 yards, bit in hand, won at Wetherby 2m (3) gs in Oct beating Royal Mogul (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
She Is Electric (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Made all, took keen hold, clear at halfway, reduced advantage 3 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on well run-in, won at Gowran Park 2m lst (1) Yielding in Sep beating Champagne Problem (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Father Of Jazz 14-1 (9-3) Raced in 3rd behind (clear) winner, pushed along 3f out, ridden inside final 2f, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 10 1/2l behind Majestic Dawn (9-3) at Goodwood 1m 2f lst stks (1) gs in May.
