took keen hold, led until 3 out, still every chance next, 4th last, stayed on to take 2nd flat, not pace of winner
mid-division, mistake 4th, outpaced by leaders 2 out, no impression
mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leader, led 3 out, ridden and headed after next, not pace of winner when lost 2nd flat, no extra
tracked leaders, ridden to lead after 2 out, ran on well
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway on inside 5th, every chance 2 out, no extra flat
held up in touch, mistake 2nd, not fluent 3 out, ridden and pressing leaders next, no extra last
always behind, tailed off 3 out
in touch in mid-division, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, fell flat
in rear, mistake 1st, mistake 2nd and rider lost iron briefly some way after hurdle, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
SILICIUM was still on the bridle turning for home over 2m4f at Fakenham on his hurdling debut but quickly tired and was beaten 10 lengths. This shorter trip looks ideal and Nicky Henderson's charge can get off the mark. A bumper winner over 1m4f in France, Spirit D'Armor was sent off favourite for his UK debut in a bumper at Fontwell last month and ran well enough to finish second. He can figure on his first start over timber, while all-weather winner Laudatory makes his hurdling bow and was rated higher on the Flat than King Supreme, a rare runner over timber for the Richard Hannon yard.
Cleaver 40-1 (11-2) Mid-division, weakened before 3 out, 13th of 17, well behind Chablais (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
King Supreme (IRE) 10-1 (9-12) Always in rear, 7th of 8, 27l behind Gandalf (9-9) at Kempton 2m hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb (flat).
Laudatory 16-1 (9-1) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, never reached leaders and one pace final 2f, 8th of 16, 6l behind Conduct (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Sep (flat).
Silicium (FR) 4-6fav (11-5) Chased leaders, headway and every chance from 3 out, weakened approaching last, 2nd of 12, 10l behind Camden (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Smart Catch (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Hit 1st, always in rear, last of 8, 33l behind Sprinter Sacre (11-7) at Ascot 2m nov hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Somewhatinevitable (IRE) 17-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, hit 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on flat, never near to challenge, 6th of 14, 21l behind Buckie Boy (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Spirit D'armor (FR) 11-4fav (11-6) Mid-division, headway 8f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 12, 8l behind Queens Bay (10-8) at Fontwell 1m 6f cond NH flat (6) gs in Feb.
Track Star (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Soon well behind, lost touch when went violently left 6th, tailed off and pulled before next, in a race won by Recession Proof (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 11 ran.
Akinndi (IRE) 3-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, close 2nd halfway, improved to lead 3f out, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 18, 12l behind Flying Cross (9-3) at Navan 1m 2yo mdn in Oct '09 (flat).
The Wonga Coup (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong, last of 8, 7l behind Broughtons Day (9-4) at Kempton 1m app hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan (flat).
