led until 2nd, led 3rd until approaching 6th, remained prominent, chased winner from 2 out, edged left and no impression flat
held up in rear, headway after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in touch, shaken up after 7th, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, lost place 3rd, towards rear after
held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, headway after 7th, weakened 3 out
in touch on outside, not fluent and lost place 4th, closed 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
with leader, led 2nd until next, prominent, weakened 7th
not fluent, always behind, tailed off
mid-division, headway when not fluent 5th, led briefly before next, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
took keen hold in rear, headway to go 5th when blundered 2 out, hit last, never near leaders
always prominent, jumped big and hit 2nd with hind legs, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, ran on well
took keen hold, in touch, led approaching 6th where mistake, headed before 2 out, weakened flat
mid-division, headway 7th, mistake 3 out, soon beaten
Nonrunner
It's over a year since FRONT OF HOUSE was last seen but such was the promise he showed that we'll side with him on his return; Secret Stash, Talenti and Ackertac may provide the main opposition. Nicky Henderson's charge won a pair of bumpers before running in graded company at Punchestown, evidence of the regard in which he's held. The King's Theatre gelding then returned in November of 2008 to make his debut over timber and travelled like a class horse before mistakes at the last two flights cost him victory. That effort marked him down as a sure-fire future winner, so the only concern is that he's been absent since. That said, his handler is a maestro and will surely have the horse ready to race although market support would be encouraging. Secret Stash is rated 116 after a pair of decent efforts in defeat of late. He's a bumper winner on heavy so the rain-softened ground is no concern and bar our selection he has little to fear from the rivals on display, although we feel his likely good run will once again result in defeat. Similar comments apply to Talenti who enjoys cut and will surely appreciate this marked drop in class. He was pulled up last time though so whilst that was in better company it's always risky siding with a horse who has such a big question to answer, so we'll oppose him along with Ackertac who ran with great credit last time but could once again find at least one too good. Wizard Of Odds has achieved a solid level of form but he'll need to settle better than he did when last seen in December, whilst Necromancer could've been found an easier start to his hurdling career. Sommersturm couldn't possibly be recommended on what he's shown so far but a market move would change that drastically, Don't Tell Nina hails from a yard that tend to get the best from their runners and could defy likely big odds and Mister Hyde should appreciate stepping back in trip, but all have work to do if Front Of House is fit and well.
Ackertac (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Chased winner, ridden after 6th, soon lost 2nd, stayed on same pace from 3 out, regained 2nd near finish, 2nd of 15, 8l behind Black Jack Blues (11-3) at Ludlow 2m NH mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Don't Tell Nina (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Always behind, 8th of 17, 44l behind Prince Of Pirates (11-1) at Kempton 2m mdn NH flat (6) gs in Feb.
Front Of House (IRE) 4-6fav (10-12) Held up in touch, raced keenly, took narrow lead 3 out, headed flat, not quicken, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Sunsetten (10-5) at Ludlow 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov '08.
Master Cardor Visa (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Soon pressing leader, led 10f out, headed over 6f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 11, 27l behind Ackertac (10-11) at Ludlow 2m mdn NH flat (5) sft in Nov.
Mister Hyde (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Always behind, 7th of 12, 39l behind Ranjobaie (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Necromancer (IRE) 11-4fav (11-1) Pressed leader until relegated to 3rd over 2f out, rallied to go 2nd again 1f out, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Towcester 2m NH flat (5) hvy in Jan '09 beating Priors Coppice (10-11) by hd, 11 ran.
Rester Vrai (FR) 66-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, some late headway, never dangerous, 6th of 17, 43l behind Peveril (11-11) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Rumbling Thunder (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Took keen hold in mid-division, ridden 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 7, 28l behind Fabulous Fred (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) sft in Feb.
Silver Token 50-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway on outside before 3 out, led 2 out, headed last, no chance with winner flat, 2nd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Universal Soldier (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Feb.
Sommersturm (GER) 25-1 (9-10) Raced keenly, tracked leader until over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 12th of 13, 32l behind Crimson Mitre (10-0) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) fbs in Jul (flat).
Talenti (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) In touch, mistake 2nd, blundered 11th, weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Doctor Pat (10-13) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec, 13 ran.
Wizard of Odds 12-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, one pace, 5th of 12, 15l behind Balzaccio (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Ridley Taylor 66-1 (10-9) Always in rear, weakened 4 out, 5th of 7, well behind Fabulous Fred (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) sft in Feb.
River Beauty 11-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4th, one pace from last, 4th of 12, 7l behind Banjaxed Girl (10-12) at Southwell 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Lord Equalizer (IRE) 80-1 (10-13) In rear, pushed along after 3rd, hampered 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Empty Sky (11-9) at Catterick 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Secret Stash (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Led until after 3 out, every chance after next, stayed on same pace approaching last, 2nd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Fahrisee (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f NH mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
