mid-division, pushed along and weakened after 3 out, behind and eased when pulled up before last
always in rear, ridden and struggling after 3rd, tailed off
held up in midfield, headway 4th, pushed along in 4th place after 3 out, weakened before next
chased leaders, led 2 out, soon clear, ridden out flat, kept on strongly
took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden and weakened 5th, behind when mistake next and soon pulled up
soon chased leader, challenged and mistake 3 out, still chance 2 out, weakened between last 2
not jump well, always behind, tailed off before 5th
took keen hold in midfield, jumped right 4th, behind from next, tailed off
led, ridden and headed just before 2 out, soon no chance with winner
always in rear, ridden and struggling after 4th, soon lost touch, tailed off
took keen hold in midfield, came wide into straight, 5th and weakening when went left and mistake 2 out
Beau Fighter has run well on both his career starts to date and this looks like the ideal opportunity for him to break his maiden tag over hurdles at the expense of General Kutuzov and Goat Castle. The selection was a winner on the level for trainer Chris Wall and earned himself a rating as high as 72 at his best. He has performed well in two hurdles races to date for Garry Moore and with that experience now in the bag he can put it to good use. General Kutuzov finished an eye catching second at Exeter on his penultimate outing but failed to reproduce that form when sent off favourite at this venue last time out. He how returns having had a three month break and deserves plenty of respect. Goat Castle finished mid field on his debut run in a bumper at Market Rasen. His trainer Nigel Twiston Davies is always worth respecting and with that in mind he is worth noting on his hurdles debut. Beau Fighter however is the form horse in the race and gets the narrow vote.
Beau Fighter 10-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders and keen, hit 3 out, ridden next, one pace, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Salden Licht (11-10) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Cedar Falls (USA) 150-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, pushed along and lost place from 4th, last of 13, well behind Salden Licht (11-10) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Filun 100-1 (11-0) Behind when unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Oscar Whisky (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
General Kutuzov (IRE) 5-4fav (10-12) Held up in touch, mistake 6th, chased leading pair next, headway on inside to join leaders before 2 out where every chance, stayed on same pace last, 4th of 8, 5l behind Stoney's Treasure (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Goat Castle (IRE) 7-2 (10-9) Led and raced keen, hung left on paddock bend, headed over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 5th of 12, 38l behind Eastern Supreme (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Sep.
Mega Watt (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Led at steady pace, headed and hampered on rail 7f out, stayed prominent in chasing group, pushed along 3f out, closed 2f out, no extra final 1f, 5th of 9, 8l behind Ross Moor (8-7) at Sandown 1m 2f app hcp (5) gf in Jul (flat).
Nomoretaxes (UAE) 66-1 (9-9) Raced in mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened, 13th of 14, 19l behind Gold Express (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jul (flat).
Penchesco (IRE) 14-1 (8-4) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 12, 2l behind Ellmau (9-5) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct (flat).
Quintessentially (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Led until 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Master Of The Hall (11-0) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (3) hvy in Dec.
Schiehallion (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Mistakes, held up, mistake 4th, lost touch before 11th, no chance when blundered and fell 4 out, in a race won by Oh Braga (10-7) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) gd in Feb, 5 ran.
Golden Games (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Soon tracking leader, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 34l behind Slick Mover (8-10) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol (flat).
