John Ferguson's splendid record in his first season training speaks for itself and CREEKSIDE looks to have outstanding claims of improving his already excellent strike rate. The former John Oxx inmate scored with something in hand on his hurdling debut at Catterick and, as is his trainer's wont, has been found another realistic target. Early Applause is an interesting opponent from the Charlie Hills' yard on his hurdling debut. He landed a Ripon maiden last year and was a fair sort on the level and could emerge as the main danger if taking to timber. So Is She has done nothing wrong in three starts over hurdles and has a solid each-way shout, whilst Miss Tique and Black Is Beautiful both look types to improve with time.
Creekside 8-13fav (10-9) Held up mid-division, tracked leaders before 3 out, challenged 2 out, led narrowly last, kept on well towards finish, won at Catterick 2m 4yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Jan beating Uncle Bryn (11-0) by 2l, 9 ran.
Beating Harmony 20-1 (9-0) Chased leader until 3f out, weakened over 2f out, tailed off, 10th of 11, 44l behind Vanilla Rum (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Jan (flat).
Black Is Beautiful (FR) 16-1 (10-12) With leader, outpaced before 4f out, soon driven along, kept on final 2f, 4th of 16, 6l behind Chancery (10-12) at Haydock 1m 5f n h flat 3yo (6) gs in Nov.
Early Applause 11-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge on inside 2f out, still pressing leaders over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Discoteca (9-5) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Oct (flat).
Riviera Stars 50-1 (10-7) Mid-division on outside, lost place when not fluent 3rd, jumped slowly next, soon tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Native Beauty (10-11) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Umoristic (FR) 50-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, chased winner after 3 out until after next, no impression before last, weakened flat, 5th of 13, 20l behind Castle Conflict (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f NH mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Miss Tique (FR) 22-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, hit 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten, hampered 2 out, tailed off, 6th of 15, well behind Asaid (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4yo hdl (4) gs in Jan.
So Is She (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, lost place before 4th, headway 5th, chased winner approaching where mistake, no impression, lost 2nd last stride, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Schism (10-8) at Leicester 2m juv fll nov hdl (3yo) (4) gs in Dec.
Fairy Alisha 20-1 (9-9) Held up, ridden over 5f out, weakened 3f out, 6th of 7, 37l behind New Year's Eve (10-2) at Ludlow 2m NH flat (6) gs in Jan.
Lady Valtas 80-1 (8-5) Reared start, very slowly away, soon ridden along, behind final 3f, last of 10, 35l behind Larkrise Star (9-9) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Sep (flat).
Loves Theme (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out went 2nd over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 4l behind Lastkingofscotland (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f app hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan (flat).
