mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, hit last, never troubled winner
held up in rear, never a factor
tracked leader, led 6th, hit and headed 5 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, headway halfway, chased leaders 3 out, led approaching last, soon clear (no time taken)
held up towards rear, under pressure 4 out, never on terms
mid-division, effort 4 out, soon no impression
held up in touch, lost place 4 out
held up in rear, effort 4 out, never a factor
led until 6th, remained prominent hit 7th, led again 5 out, approaching last soon weakened
In this handicap hurdle it looks like FACTOTUM has really strong claims now stepping down in grade and we side with Jonjo O'Neill's runner ahead of Another Brother while Sir Tantallaus Hawk is not obviously well weighted on his handicap debut. This step up in trip looks sure to suit the pick who rattled home over a sharper test last time but couldn't reach the winner. That was a tougher race and off a mark just a couple of pounds higher he should have the measure of this field. Another Brother makes his debut for Tim Vaughan and the effect that the Welsh trainer can have on another yard's cast offs is well known. That said he looks to have struggled under his current mark on his last two starts. Sir Tantallaus Hawk was finishing last season on flying form before being a little outclassed in a top novice hurdle in his final start and his mark looks a little high on his first run in this ranks. Havenstone should be seen to better effect now back over timber after a poor chasing effort last time but Factotum looks the one they all have to beat and is a confident selection.
Sir Tantallus Hawk 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Bouggler (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Apr, 17 ran.
To Arms 50-1 (9-11) Held up in rear, unseated rider after 9th, in a race won by Mr Thriller (10-9) at Chepstow 2m 4f listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Oct, 14 ran.
Another Brother (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Led, soon clear, fell 2nd, in a race won by Snake Charmer (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gs in Mar, 15 ran.
Factotum 15-2 (10-13) Held up towards rear, mistake 7th, switched left and headway approaching last, stayed on strongly flat to take 2nd towards finish, not troubled winner, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Right Option (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Oct.
Mister Quasimodo 12-1 (10-1) In touch, ridden after 4th, losing place when fell 8th, in a race won by Mr Boo (10-0) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Go Amwell 13-2 (11-5) Held up, ridden 11th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on flat, 4th of 6, 17l behind Orchard King (11-7) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Oct.
Havenstone (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, outpaced 14th, weakened from 17th, last of 4, well behind Classic Clover (10-3) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp 0-100 (4) gf in Oct.
Bob Mountain (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Held up in touch, mistake 4 out, soon ridden and outpaced, weakened 2 out, behind when slipped and fell flat, in a race won by Chinara (10-0) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Aug, 8 ran.
Strongpoint (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Rear of mid-division,, 9th of 17, 42l behind The Sneezer (11-0) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-95 gd in Oct.
