prominent, ridden 8th, kept on one pace
in touch, ridden approaching 8th, weakened 3 out
led to 4th, prominent until ridden 8th, one pace from 2 out
held up, ridden 8th, stayed on from last to go 3rd close home
mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, led after 3 out, soon ridden, driven out from last, readily
always towards rear and outpaced, no chance from half way
mid-division, lost place 7th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, led 4th to approaching 8th, soon weakened
prominent, ridden and weakened 8th
pulled hard and held up well in rear, headway approaching 8th, chased winner after 3 out, ran on from 2 out but no chance with winner
chased leader, hit 7th, led approaching 8th, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened
Not a bad handicap hurdle here and ARCHDUKE FERDINAND has his ground again and is taken to score from Irish Whispers. The selection was a wide margin winner of a Newton Abbot maiden hurdle on fast ground in July, before being well beaten into second when returned there over a shorter trip last time. Back over 2m 6f and on good to firm he should be a different proposition again and can confirm that with another win. Irish Whispers is another who enjoys conditions like a road and won a claiming hurdle here over slightly shorter last time. This is tougher, and he has yet to convince he stays this far, so we will field against him. Redemption has been much better than this in the past and acts on any ground. This trip won't be a problem but his handicap mark may be insurmountable at the grand old age of 13. Cresswell Ruby has a bit to prove after her latest run, while Alecia might find improvement for going a little further in this race, but Archduke Ferdinand can score.
Archduke Ferdinand (FR) Evensfav (11-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, wend 2nd after 3 out, soon ridden, no chance with winner from next, hit last, 2nd of 11, 23l behind Option Money (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Irish Whispers (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders from next, stayed on under pressure flat, led near finish, won at Fontwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gd beating Hot Zone (10-10) by a nk, 12 ran.
Strong Coffee 4-1 (11-0) Mid-division, behind from 10th, 10th of 16, well behind Cullahill (11-0) at Hereford 3m 2f mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Love Angel (USA) 20-1 (10-11) refused in race won by Glad Big (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
Orion Express 8-1 (11-4) Mistakes in rear, soon lost touch, last of 5, 44l behind Flying Grey (11-6) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Aug.
Phone In 9-2 (11-6) Held up, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on flat, no impression, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Another Storm (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Aug.
Dancing Hill 16-1 (11-12) Held up mid-division, headway to go 2nd 5th, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 11, 36l behind Gallant Hero (11-7) at Worcester 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Jun.
Alecia (IRE) 9-1 (10-4) Led, hit 3rd, soon headed, led again next, not fluent 3 out, soon headed, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 12l behind Winter Star (12-0) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd.
Mistified (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Behind, driven and struggling before 9th, 8th of 10, 31l behind Urban Warrior (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Cresswell Ruby (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden and struggling 8th, tailed off, 7th of 12, 29l behind Captain Becket (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Alpha Juliet (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 17, 23l behind McQueen (11-3) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl (5) gf in Jul.
Leonardo's Friend 6-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, lost place approaching 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 10, well behind Another Storm (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Aug.
Redemption 12-1 (11-6) Held up, ridden 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 7, 31l behind Thunder Rock (11-8) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
