held up towards rear, smooth headway to challenge 3 out, joined 2 out, led last, kept on well run-in
tracked leader, pushed along to challenge over 3 out, joined 2 out, headed last, no extra run-in
led, pushed along and headed 3 out, stayed on without troubling winner
in rear, mistake 3rd, slow jump 4 out, tailed off
Last week’s Southwell winner Easy Equation is making his debut under NH Rules. Mahon Point made a winning start over hurdles at Chepstow in January but hasn’t been seen since and hurdling debutant Idealdes Villerets also has a lengthy absence to overcome. Itso Fury boasts a recent victory at Warwick but is penalised so this can go to SNIPE, who let the winner get first run on him at Hexham last month and is likely to be closer to the pace around here.
Itso Fury (IRE) 2-5fav (11-4) Close 3rd on inside and always going well, 2nd 4 out, led on inside 2 out, soon clear, not quite fluent last, easily, won at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) gd in Sep beating Harry D'alene (11-4) by 14l, 4 ran.
Mahon Point 9-4 (11-2) Chased leader, not fluent 3 out, led 2 out, headed between last 2, led again last, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan beating Dom Of Mary (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Snipe (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) In touch, headway 5th, ridden to chase winner at last, driven and ran on to press winner towards finish, 2nd of 10, nk behind Paddy The Horse (11-4) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Easy Equation (FR) 9-4 (9-6) Mid-division, rapid headway under pressure 2f out, led final furlong and went clear, comfortably, won at Southwell 2m hcp (6) pol in Oct beating Copperplate (9-7) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Idealdes Villerets (FR) 22-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, prominent, hung right over 3f out, kept on from 2f out, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 15, 6l behind Poetic Music (10-5) at Cheltenham 1m 6f lst (1) sft in Jan.
