made all, soon clear, ridden 2 out, driven and hung right flat
held up, ridden and weakened before 3 out
close up, ridden before 3 out, kept on to take remote 4th
keen, mistake 1st and rider lost iron briefly, in touch, ridden and lost place after 5th
chased winner until after 3 out, rallied to chase winner again soon after 2 out, challenged soon after last, hung left and struck by rivals whip
pulled hard mid-division, headway to go 3rd briefly 3 out, weakened next
keen, in touch, ridden to chase winner after 3 out until soon after 2 out, soon weakened
Dr McFab has translated his decent form on the flat to hurdles and this looks to be a good bit of placing by his trainer; Pindar is one to be wary of on his hurdles debut. The selection made it third time lucky over hurdles when successful at Ludlow and whilst he now goes left-handed, he has run well going this way round on the all-weather. The stable had a good Open Meeting at Cheltenham, and with more improvement to come he can defy a penalty. Kanonkop has solid claims based on his good win at Market Rasen back in September, and his recent run behind Sainte Kadette looks solid form - he needs respect. Barney Curley saddles Pindar who comes here on the back of a gambled-on win at Wolverhampton. The market will help tell the story of his chances. Feeling Peckish has shown glimpses of ability so far, whilst Directa's Digger made his hurdling debut in a hot race at Aintree and should be more at home in this grade. However Dr McFab looks solid and he gets the nomination.
Dr McFab 9-4fav (10-12) Made all, jumped left, ridden 3 out, ran on, won at Ludlow 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Oct beating Starr Flyer (10-12) by 5l, 12 ran.
Ballad Maker (IRE) 10-11fav (9-3) Tracked leaders on outside, soon lost place, headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out to chase leaders, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Quaglino Way (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Oct (Flat).
Directa's Digger (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, mistake 1st, weakened 4 out, 10th of 15, well behind Smugglers Bay (11-0) at Aintree 2m 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Feeling Peckish (USA) 100-1 (10-9) Towards rear, behind from 5th, 6th of 10, 48l behind Mamlook (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gd.
Kanonkop 20-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened soon after next, 4th of 10, 9l behind Sainte Kadette (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Pindar (GER) 2-1fav (8-12) Raced keenly, held up toward rear, headway on outside over 2f out, soon ridden, led well inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Oct beating Fantastic Delight (9-2) by 2l, 13 ran (Flat).
Safe Investment (USA) 50-1 (10-9) Always behind, effort 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Mamlook (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gd, 10 ran.
First Frost 200-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, reminders early, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, last of 13, 42l behind Ful of Grace (8-7) at Yarmouth 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gs in Oct (Flat).
Kassuta 8-1 (7-12) Held up mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ridden out, won at Yarmouth 1m clm (6) gs in Oct beating Casablanca Minx (9-1) by 3l, 11 ran (Flat).
Ranavalona 100-1 (10-2) Behind, tailed off 4th, 11th of 16, well behind Inchlaggan (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
