held up towards rear, headway 3 out, led approaching last, headed flat, no extra
started slowly, pulled hard in rear, headway to track leaders 4 out, effort approaching last, no extra flat
held up in rear, soon struggling, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led, headed 3 out, weakened after next
in touch, pushed along 3 out, ridden and one pace from next
towards rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened flat
tracked leader, led 3 out, headed approaching last, kept on one pace flat
pulled hard in rear, headway when not fluent 2 out, led after last, pushed out
mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, ridden to challenge last, no extra flat
Nicky Richards has been hanging on to expensive purchase Faasel for a while, but looks to have found a straightforward opportunity for the Irish-bred gelding to make an immediate impact over hurdles.Terlan already has experience in this sphere and makes more appeal than his stablemate, Bridge Pal, as the one to pose the selection the most problems. Time may tell that Terlan's efforts behind Arcalis are very respectable bits of form and he looks the likeliest beneficiary if the selection suffers any mishaps. However, if home reputations are anything to go by, Faasel should be ready to do himself justice today. The son of Unfuwain had some very useful form when he raced on the level in Ireland - the best of which came when he won the October Handicap at Naas last year. Faasel made smooth headway on that occasion, but it was his willingness to battle that set him apart that day. And, knowing what he is capable of when he is in the mood, it makes him very hard to oppose here.
