L'Antartique did not disappoint on his first British appearance and can pay to support ahead of First Look, Dark Character and Boris The Spider to name but three. Ferdy Murphy has a very good team of novice hurdlers to follow this season, and it was no surprise when L'Antartique opened his account as expected at Haydock a fortnight ago, and he can continue his jumping education with a follow up before going on to much better things. If all goes well, the plan is to go for something like the Tolworth Hurdle, and as the trainer reckons that none of the others at home can get him off the bridle, he is definitely one to follow, and should oblige despite his penalty. First Look caught a tartar in the shape of Rasharrow on his hurdles bow at Ayr recently, and this ex-German Flat performer is sure to open his account in due course, but unfortunately for connections, he bumps into another classy individual here. Of the rest, Dark Character is interesting, hailing as he does from a stable that had a tremendous season on the level. Not seen since December 2003, he beat the useful Alcopop in a bumper earlier that year, and with Tony Dobbin booked to ride, is one to note in the market with a place up for grabs. He makes more appeal than his stablemate Old Barns, while Boris The Spider and The Duke's Speech may play a part somewhere along the line as well. However, they are all destined to be bit-part players, as L'Antartique is a class apart.
L'Antartique (FR) 4-11fav (10-9) Chased leaders, led after 2 out, drew clear flat, easily, won at Haydock 2m nov hdl (D) sft beating Oddsmaker (10-5) by 5l, 10 ran.
Boris The Spider 100-1 (11-0) Prominent, led approaching 5th, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 17, 49l behind Rasharrow (11-5) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (D) sft.
Carpe Momentum (USA) Marlin gelding, half-brother to a sprint winner in the USA.
Dark Character 7-2 (10-10) Tracked winner, led 3 out until approaching next, soon ridden, weakened last, 3rd of 15, 21l behind Thosewerethedays (10-10) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Dec '03.
Datbandito (IRE) 100-1 (10-4) Behind when fell in race won by Rasharrow (11-5) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (D) sft, 17 ran.
First Look (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed last, kept on, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Rasharrow (11-5) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (D) sft.
Lord Baskerville 12-1 (10-5) Raced keenly, led after first, headed fourth, led again next, headed 2 out, ridden and weakened last, 4th of 9, 18l behind Best Profile (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hdl (E) hvy in Oct.
The Duke's Speech (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 22, 10l behind The Cool Guy (10-11) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf Grd 2 (A) gs in Apr.
