raced wide, chased leaders, 2nd before 5th until approaching 3 out, chased leaders, ridden and weakened between last 2
held up in touch, headway chasing leaders after 5th, 2nd approaching 3 out, ridden between last 2, lost 2nd at the last, 3rd and one pace run-in
took keen hold, tracking leaders on inside hanging left when fell 5th
in touch, headway on outside chasing leaders before 5th, ridden and weakened before 3 out, jumped left final 3, tailed off
held up last, pushed along and struggling in 6th before 3 out, never a factor
led, headed and weakened rapidly before 5th, soon behind, pulled up next
took keen hold, chasing leaders when badly hampered by faller 5th, never able to recover
held up in last pair, steady headway on inside after 4 out, chased leaders before next, went 2nd at the last, hung left under pressure and every chance run-in, just held
chased leader, led before 5th, made rest, awkward last, joined run-in, stayed on to assert near finish
Otter Moon will have needed his run here last month but this looks on the short side. COMBER MILL is probably worth sticking with in his current mood. He’s made all twice at Uttoxeter lately on ground with plenty of give and this sharp track generally lends itself to aggressive tactics. Fixed Rate has won twice this season but not over a trip this short. Course and distance winner Excellent Team has had a break but fitness shouldn’t be an issue but Royal Irish Hussar is not the same horse that finished sixth in the Triumph Hurdle in 2014.
Fixed Rate 9-2 (11-12) Pressed winner until ridden omitted 3 out, held in 4th when left clear 2nd 2 out, plugged on, 2nd of 6, 37l behind Artifice Sivola (11-11) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Otter Moon 14-1 (11-8) In touch in mid-division and raced wide, closed after 6th, every chance 3 out, hit next, soon beaten, 5th of 10, 20 1/4l behind Cougar Kid (10-3) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Royal Irish Hussar (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along after 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 35 1/2l behind El Terremoto (11-12) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Excellent Team 4-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 10 3/4l behind Peruvien Bleu (12-0) at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Baratineur (FR) 50-1 (11-12) Always in rear, ridden before 5th, soon weakened, 7th of 8, dist behind Quadriller (11-6) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Wildmoor Boy 3-1 (11-7) Led until after 2nd, led after 4th, headed before 2 out, soon no impression on winner, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 10, 11 1/4l behind Catchin Time (11-0) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Captain Jack 33-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, went left and not fluent last, weakened flat, 5th of 13, 10l behind Zalvados (11-5) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Voodoo Doll (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, jumped right and struggling 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 10, dist behind Brianstorm (11-2) at Taunton 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Comber Mill (FR) 5-4fav (10-2) Made all, driven flat, stayed on gamely, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Dun Scaith (10-10) by 2l, 6 ran.
