held up in touch, chased clear leader after 5th, led before last, pushed out
tracked leader, lost place 7th, soon beaten
led, soon 8 lengths clear, headed approaching last, one pace
tracked clear leader, lost place before 6th, soon tailed off, pulled up 2 out
The trend of small field continue for this Novices' Hurdle and after finding a step up to this trip exactly to his liking last time we take QUARTANO to get the better of Lord Singer while winning pointers Alteranthela and Ready Or Not remain of interest. The winning partnership is maintained as Paddy Brennan takes the ride on the pick after piloting him to win with a bit to spare in similar conditions last time. That run capped a progressive run of form and he sets a decent standard. Lord Singer wasn¿t anything special when running in France but made a nice debut for current connections last time. That will have given them more of an idea about this gelding and we expect him to build on that outing. Both Alteranthela and Ready Or Not won between the flags on bottomless ground but the formers jumping looks more assured and he should do better now back over obstacles after his poor run in a bumper last time. Plenty of these then have proven form in the conditions but after a good win last time we side with Quartano to follow up.
Quartano (GER) 3-1fav (10-12) Raced wide, held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon narrow lead, ridden and hung left approaching last, driven and kept on well flat, won at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) hvy beating Dawn Choir (11-5) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Alteranthela (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Mid-division, weakened 5f out, soon behind, last of 11, well behind Dan Breen (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn NH flat (6) gd in Jul.
Lord Singer (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up in 5th, chased leading pair 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Aegean Dawn (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs.
Ready Or Not (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Held up, headway approaching 10th, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Benbane Head (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gf in Oct.
Red Anchor (IRE) Snurge gelding out of Clonartic.
