held up in touch, went handy 3rd, ridden after 2 out, weakened last
took keen hold, led 2nd, ridden after 2 out, headed flat, no extra towards finish
held up in rear, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, disputing close 3rd when mistake 2 out, one pace flat
held up in touch, went 2nd after 5th, ridden 2 out, led and edged left flat, stayed on well
led, mistake 1st, headed next, blundered 3rd, driven and lost place after 4th, weakened after 7th, tailed off
took keen hold, prominent, mistake 6th, weakened 3 out, fell last
FABULOUS FRED can gain compensation for a recent spill with Larks Lad and Glenwood Knight as the plausible dangers. The selection looked all over the winner at Plumpton when stumbling badly and unshipping the rider. With the yard in such strong form, he should go well though will not be much of a price. Larks Lad carries the colours of Trevor Hemmings. He has to give away a 6lb penalty for his success in a Taunton Novices event. Glenwood Knight was disqualified after finishing first past the post in an Exeter contest. That race has produced quite a lot of decent types since. Wind Shuffle was unfancied in the market on debut and ran accordingly. A useful miler on the level, he should be able to cope with the prevailing going. Tahiti Pearl has shaped with a modicum of promise in a couple of bumpers and in a race short on numbers could be capable of some improvement. Fabulous Fred looks the ideal candidate for honours and we seek not to oppose.
Larks Lad (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) With leader, led approaching and blundered 2 out, not fluent last, edged left run-in, held on well (no time taken), won at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Nov beating No Principles (10-9) by 1l, 14 ran.
Fabulous Fred (IRE) 13-8fav (11-6) Held up mid-division, tracked leaders 5th, challenging when stumbled badly and unseated rider after 3 out, in a race won by Stoney's Treasure (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) sft, 11 ran.
Glenwood Knight (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Prominent, led 5th, ridden and narrowly headed 2 out, soon hung left, rallied to lead flat, all out, finished 1st (placed 2nd), in a race won by Darstardly Dick (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Dec '08, 10 ran.
Llama Farmer 100-1 (10-12) Held up, someheadway after 5th, lost place next, weakening when not fluent 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Abbevillian (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Seize The Day (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd and reminders, losing touch when not fluent 7th, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Will Be Done (10-9) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Tahiti Pearl (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden over 3f out, kept on final 2f, 4th of 16, 4l behind Dear Sam (11-11) at Catterick 2m NH flat (5) gs in Dec.
Wind Shuffle (GER) 28-1 (11-0) Held up and keen, pushed along and lost place approaching 3 out, 8th of 10, 36l behind Turbo Island (10-9) at Ayr 2m hdl (3) sft in Dec.