The Festival pretensions of CESARE will dictate the market on this occasion and he faces a stern examination of his credentials from Happy Reunion and Alasi. Rated in the high 110's on the flat, there is little doubt that he has a touch of class but the bookies will be taking no chances about what is essentially a surprise switcher to the winter game. On the positive, this track and its long straight should very much suit his style of racing. Happy Reunion finished a fair second at Cork on his most recent outing. The Irish raider had previously taken a Fontwell contest under today's rider. Alasi is already the winner of a novice hurdle having obliged at Lingfield last month. He had previously finished a close up sixth in a hot Ascot bumper behind Red Harbour. Disco Jack left behind some modest form to finish second at Ludlow. He will not be such generous odds this time around. Full Speed was a solid middle distance handicapper on the level and he makes a hurdling debut this afternoon. He appreciates good ground and the market is watched accordingly. The Phillip Hobbs trained, Exulto, should have come on for his first outing for over a year. Cesare has the class to win this but he is no lay down on balance.
Alasi 14-1 (10-10) Close up, chased leader soon after 2 out, challenged last, driven and stayed on flat, led post, won at Lingfield 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Megasue (10-10) by shd, 14 ran.
Boyoboy (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Held up, weakened 4 out, 11th of 14, well behind Lightening Rod (10-9) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Cesare 2-1fav (9-0) Held up, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 4th of 11, 7l behind Gitano Hernando (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (3yo+) (3) pol in Sep (flat).
Disco Jack (FR) 66-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 5th, ridden after last, ran on well, just failed, 2nd of 14, hd behind Moghaayer (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Exulto (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led after 3rd, ridden last, headed flat, no extra close home, 3rd of 14, 1l behind Moghaayer (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Fenners (USA) 125-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, tailed, off 7th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Edge Of Town (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) hvy, 11 ran.
Full Speed (GER) 12-1 (9-7) Held up, good headway on inside over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 12th of 18, 14l behind Trip The Light (9-5) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct (flat).
Happy Reunion (IRE) 7-2fav (11-1) Towards rear, progress into 10th after 4 out, closed into 5th 3 out, 2nd when mistake next, no impression and kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 21, 2 1/2l behind Alickadoo (10-4) at Cork 2m 3f hcp hdl 8Evens16 gd in Oct.
Highland Love 66-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 12, 40l behind Sitting Tennant (11-8) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Moonstreaker 66-1 (10-11) Led, raced keen, soon clear, not fluent 3rd, headed approaching last, one pace, 3rd of 14, 7l behind My Shamwari (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Paddington Bob (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Held up, headway on outer over 4f out, no impression, 5th of 11, 39l behind Benny Be Good (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Nov.
Shannina 9-1 (10-12) In rear, never dangerous, 4th of 8, 20l behind Spring Jim (10-12) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
