tracked leader, led after 3rd, made rest, hit 4 out, clear when hit and stumbled last, eased towards finish
mid-division, lost place 6th, no danger after
mid-division, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on under pressure from next, no impression
close up on inside, lost place 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
raced wide, tracked leaders, outpaced after 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd last, no chance with winner
never better than mid-division
in rear, headway approaching 4 out, outpaced and hung left after next, pulled up before 2 out
raced keenly, led to after 3rd, chased winner, ridden 2 out, one pace approaching last
chased leaders, reminders 5th, ridden and no impression 3 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out
raced keenly in touch, effort approaching 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
In-form trainer Ferdy Murphy thinks a lot about L'Antartique, who can overcome his penalty and the likes of Odiham and The Dukes Speech, who make the most appeal from those with experience. It will also be noteworthy to see how the market speaks about Calin Royal, who cost 185,000gns and, it is safe to assume, has taking individual on the eye. His yard struck with a similar type earlier in the week and the bookmakers are unlikely to take too many chances with him. Odiham was useful on the Flat and should have benefited from his hurdles debut. The step up in trip may bring about some improvement and he is one to seriously monitor. The same can be said of The Duke's Speech , who was only three lengths adrift of the selection at Wetherby last month. He has a theoretical chance of reversing the form on 3lb better terms and is a leading player here. Nevertheless, there is plenty more to come from L' Antartique, who may have the Tolworth Hurdle on the agenda if all goes well this afternoon.
L'Antartique (FR) 4-6fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, chased winner after 4 out, one pace, no impression, 2nd of 23, 6l behind Whispered Promises (11-5) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Ballistigo (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, well behind Denman (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (D) gd in Nov.
Ballyhale (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) In touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 15, 39l behind Bougoure (10-10) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Calin Royal (FR) Garde Royale gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Hi Humpfree 12-1 (10-7) Mid-division, effort 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 16, 36l behind Mr Pointment (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Odiham 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, driven approaching 3 out, headway 2 out, went 3rd last, stayed on, 3rd of 14, 17l behind Natal (11-8) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (C) gd in Nov.
The Duke's Speech (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, one pace in 3rd when mistake last, 3rd of 23, 9l behind Whispered Promises (11-5) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Top Brass (IRE) Evensfav (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 12, 10l behind Swaythe (10-11) at Lingfield 2m nhf (H) hvy in Nov.
