held up towards rear, pushed along after 5th, well beaten from 3 out
tracked leader, led after 3 out, dived at 2 out and made mistake, shaken up and clear flat, comfortably
in rear, not always fluent, shaken up after 5th, well beaten 3 out
mid-division, took keen hold, pushed along 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway approaching 4th, close up when hit 2 out, no impression on winner when mistake last, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, took keen hold, 4th and one pace from 2 out
tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 1st, lost place 3 out, soon well beaten
held up in touch in mid-division, took keen hold, headway 5th, close up when not fluent 3 out, stayed on same pace before last, no impression on winner
led, not fluent 1st or 2nd, headed after 3 out, soon weakened
The only defeat for EL NAMOOSE in four bumpers starts came in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and though not bred for jumping that's rarely a problem for one of John Ferguson's and he's been found what looks a winning opportunity on his hurdling debut. Handsome Horace is expected to do much better than he's shown to date while Minstrels Gallery did well to chase home Kiama Bay at Fakenham on only his second run over timber. Regulation is rated 32lb higher than the latter on the Flat and ran well enough on his hurdling bow at Stratford to suggest he'll soon be adding to his three victories. Song And Dance Man has a superb pedigree for the Flat and though he didn't live up to expectations he's with the right team to get the best out of him. Ogaritmo was a 33/1 chance for a Stratford seller last month but defied her odds with a better than expected show though she's raised in class here.
Earl The Pearl 33-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until ridden 5th, in rear when hit 3 out, 8th of 10, 47l behind Kiama Bay (11-5) at Fakenham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
El Namoose 11-10fav (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, went close 2nd on bit over 1f out, led inside final furlong, hard held, won at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) sft in Oct beating Kiteney Wood (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Glendermot (IRE) 7-1 (12-2) Tr ldrs, 6th 1/2way, left 2nd 2out, kow str, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Asian Fitz (12-2) at Lemonfield 3m ire ptp hvy in Mar.
Handsome Horace (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, mistake 1st, outpaced after 4 out, well beaten 3 out, 9th of 10, 27l behind Hunters Hoof (10-11) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Minstrels Gallery (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 2 out, ridden to chase clear winner when hit last, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Kiama Bay (11-5) at Fakenham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Regulation (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Behind, headway into mid-divison, after 2 out (usual 3 out), went 3rd before last, kept on, no chance with winner, 3rd of 12, 13l behind Desert Recluse (11-0) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Song And Dance Man 33-1 (9-2) Dwelt, in rear, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 16l behind Gaelic Silver (8-8) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Oct (flat).
Tingo In The Tale (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, pushed along and weakened over 3f out, last of 13, 22l behind Kinema (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct (flat).
Viking Warrior (IRE) 5-1 (9-6) Midfield, headway to chase eladers over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 8l behind Claude Greenwood (8-11) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-55 (6) gd in Sep (flat).
Ogaritmo 33-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced on outside after 2 out (usual 3 out), chased winner before last, kept on under pressure flat, always held, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Hawdyerwheesht (11-7) at Stratford 2m sell hdl (5) gd in Oct.
