It's tight stuff to finish up with but after a decent run on his return to hurdling on his latest outing we'll just side with NO RULES to get the better of Volador and Fabulous Fred in this Maiden Hurdle. Having won a race on the level on his penultimate start the selection carried that good form to find just a smart prospect too good and in doing so suggesting this step up in trip is what's needed. Volador finsihed never worse than third in three bumper starts including winning when favourite at Chepstow. He made a nice hurdles debut at Ascot last time and is entitled to come on from that. Fabulous Fred seemed to improve from his first start over timber to finish second best last time and his bumper form also suggests a big challenge while Cannington Brook might be the one for value seekers now switched to hurdles after being outclssed in a much better chase contest on his last run. A good race to close out proceedings in which No Rules makes most appeal.
Alteranthela (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, lost place 7th, soon beaten, 3rd of 4, well behind Quartano (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 4f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Nov.
Cannington Brook (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Jumped poorly in rear, hit 1st, 6th and 12th, struggling in last when blundered 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Michel Le Bon (11-2) at Newbury 3m nov chs Grade 2 4yo+ (1) gs in Nov, 4 ran.
Fabulous Fred (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Left tracking leaders from 6th, going well approaching 3 out, led 2 out, kept on well flat until headed near finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Watamu Bay (10-12) at Ffos Las 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Goring Two (IRE) Needle Gun gelding out of Kam Slave.
No Rules 9-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 6th, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace under pressure flat, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Pipe Banner (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Pinerock (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up, never a factor, 10th of 16, 32l behind Black Apache (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Quartz Dore (FR) 150-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden after 3 out, no impression, 6th of 8, well behind Lord Generous (11-5) at Southwell 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Volador (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, ridden and hung left approaching last, driven and stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Ashfield's Dream (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Whaxaar (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Keen, held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, driven and chased winner towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Dubai Diva (8-8) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov (flat).
Evella (IRE) 85-40 (10-2) Led, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 33l behind Teenage Kicks (10-11) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) hvy in Nov.
Jordan 14-1 (10-2) Held up in 6th, hit 3rd, ridden and went poor 3rd soon after 3 out, tailed off, 3rd of 8, 40l behind Aux Le Bahnn (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec '08.
Pomander (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 8th, mistake next, tailed off, 6th of 11, 47l behind Gallileo Figaro (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (0-105) (4) sft in Feb.
Ridley Taylor 10-1 (10-7) Chased winner until over 4f out, weakened rapidly, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Divy (10-10) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
