held up in rear, 5th and in touch when fell 3 out
led, soon clear, ridden approaching last, headed flat, no extra towards finish
tracked leader, disputing 2nd when blundered badly and unseated rider 2 out
held up in rear, outpaced after 4 out
held up, headway 4 out, ridden and effort last, challenging when hampered over 1f out, stayed on strongly to lead inside final furlong
Fiori is confidently expected to maintain his unbeaten record over fences. The gelding from the Patrick Haslam yard was a fair sort over hurdles, and he made a good impression when scoring over course and distance on his chase debut when he beat a good yard stick in Pertino by nine lengths he will have benefited from the experience and will be hard to beat despite his penalty. Man Murphy was also a fair sort over hurdles he was a good fifth in a grade three hurdle at Sandown last year and if he can translate that ability to fences he rates the main danger getting weight from Fiori. Del Trotter has also shown a modicum of ability but he will need to be on top form to win this after a lengthy absence. Lauderdale has been beset with jumping problems and the remainder need to improve on there latest form to score.