chased leaders approaching 5th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up, pushed along approaching 3 out, headway home straight, stayed on to take 2nd after last, no chance with winner
held up, headway on inner approaching 3 out, slightly hampered, soon lost place, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader, led 3 out, soon clear
led, headed 3 out, weakened when lost 2nd after last
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
towards rear, pushed along approaching 4 out, headway after next, no impression
held up and keen, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, pushed along approaching 4 out, never dangerous
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
A poor contest on an otherwise decent card for this time of year and SILVER BLUE is given the tentative vote to be too good for Little Firecracker. The Keith Goldsworthy-trained selection remains a maiden after six hurdles starts and races from the same mark as when beaten last time at Fontwell over a similar trip. Fast ground is in his favour, which is not something we can say for the other leading players here and this trip should be just about ideal, so we will give him another chance. Little Firecracker has undoubtedly improved under the tutelage of Tim Vaughan and has conditions and trip to suit. However, he still finds one or more too good and is not lump-on material here. Anay Turge is a promising gelding, though softer ground looks more his thing and we will oppose him on that basis. Allez Frank might handle conditions better, though his general profile suggests that he is certainly vulnerable in this company, and a better proposition may be The Snail. Not a race to get closely involved in and Silver Blue is no more than a suggestion.
Allez Frank (GER) 16-1 (11-0) Not fluent, outpaced and struggling in rear, tailed off 9th, pulled up 12th, in a race won by Mhilu (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f beg chase (4) gd in Jul, 9 ran.
Little Firecracker 2-1fav (11-5) Chased clear leader 4th to 6th, pushed along approaching 3 out, effort on outside to challenge 2 out, every chance last, no extra and held flat, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Jafaru (11-7) at Plumpton 2m sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Sep.
Anay Turge (FR) 16-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, every chance after 3 out, soon ridden, held when hit last, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Green Belt Elite (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Mar.
The Snail 6-1 (11-4) Jumped right, always behind, tailed off, 7th of 13, well behind Kavi (11-7) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Sep.
Diamanpeg (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway from 2 out, one pace, 4th of 13, 6l behind King High (11-7) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Sep.
Silver Blue (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, jumped right and mistake 6th, hit 3 out, outpaced approaching 2 out, stayed on flat, 3rd of 17, 10l behind Zabeel Palace (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f sell hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gf in Sep.
Robin des Bank (FR) 5-1fav (10-5) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 16, 15l behind Ishismart (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Sep.
Blue Tweed 14-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, 13th of 16, 46l behind Passato (11-6) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Mountain Creek (IRE) 33-1 (9-11) Prominent, not fluent 6th, lost place 8th, behind when pulled up approaching 2 out, in a race won by Amazing Valour (11-6) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf, 11 ran.
Raise The Heights (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, mistake 3rd, always behind, 15th of 17, 42l behind Equity Release (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gd in Sep.
Living The Dream 33-1 (10-4) Took keen hold well in rear, no chance approaching 5th, 9th of 13, well behind Maria Antonia (11-6) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug.
