disputed lead, ridden approaching 2 out, soon beaten
made most, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on gamely flat
held up in touch, pushed along 7th, reminders 8th, weakening when mistake next, tailed off
held up in touch, headway and effort when mistake 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure flat
Donald McCain has his team of horses in great form at present and FABALU can add to his seasonal tally while both Mount Oscar and The Ferbane Man warrant respect. The selection was good enough to win two novice hurdles last season and was back in the winners enclosure at Bangor on his penultimate start. He was not discredited after finishing sixth of eighteen in the four mile chase at the Cheltenham Festival and with a clear round will take all the beating. Mount Oscar landed back to back victories at Fontwell and Newbury back in November. He has been highly tried of late in some very competitive races and will be more at home under these conditions so is one to note. The Ferbane Man has shown promise in a bumper and two novice hurdles this season and has his debut over the larger obstacles this afternoon. He has been thrown in the deep and a little but with a clear round he is sure to pick up a bit of prize money along the way. Fabalu looks the form pick and is difficult to oppose.
Mount Oscar (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Great Endeavour (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar, 24 ran.
Fabalu (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Led to 6th, remained in touch, ridden to chase leading pair 4 out, lost place 2 out, soon beaten, 6th of 18, 32l behind Poker De Sivola (11-6) at Cheltenham 4m am nov chs (2) gd in Mar.
Country Eclipse (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Cl up, 6th 1/2way, cl 5th 5out & wknd 4out, bhnd when pu bef 3out, in a race won by Tullintain (12-0) at Dromahane 3m ire ptp gd in Dec '08, 17 ran.
The Ferbane Man (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Made most, joined 7th, headed 2 out, soon no extra, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Moorlands Teri (11-2) at Exeter 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Tarquinius (FR) 11-4fav (10-13) Tended to jump left, chased leaders on outside, weakened and mistake 18th, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Noble Bily (9-9) at Folkestone 3m 7f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Mar.
