chased leaders, went 2nd 6th, led approaching 3 out, comfortably
led, clear to 6th, ridden, headed approaching 3 out, weakening when not fluent last
mid-division, headway 4th, mistake 3 out, ridden next, went 2nd last, no chance of winner
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
chased leaders, hit 1st, weakened 5th, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
held up, effort after 6th, weakening when jumped left 3 out
always towards rear, never dangerous
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leader to 6th, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always behind
Fier Normand is selected to outgun Paro, with Slick and Four For A Laugh a couple to give them a race for a while at least. This does look a two-horse race on paper, with preference just for one of the two Jonjo O'Neill inmates in the line-up, Fier Normand. After winning a Downpatrick bumper in December 2004, Fier Normand was described as one of the best horses that Jeremy Maxwell had ever trained, so it was no surprise when he was secured by J P McManus and sent to Jackdaws Castle. However, he has hardly set the world alight so far, and failed to defy a penalty incurred for an earlier Bangor success when beaten at Huntingdon last month. He really needs a test of stamina, being a son of Cyborg and a full brother to L'Antartique, but connections have found what appears to be the right opportunity for him here, with only Paro rated a threat. Martin Pipe's charge also carries a penalty after making a winning British debut over the course-and-distance two weeks ago, and although only claiming class in France, is the sort that connections excel with. As for the rest, Four For a Laugh has to make up for a poor showing when sent off favourite on his Huntingdon bow in November, while Slick lines instead of stablemate Craven so cannot be dismissed entirely. Fier Normand has a reputation to maintain though, and will hopefully go some way to to enhancing it today.
Fier Normand (FR) 6-4 (11-11) Mid-division, headway 5th, weakened approaching last, 4th of 14, 21l behind Idris (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Paro (FR) 8-1 (10-11) Soon chasing leader, led 3rd, clear 3 out, hit last, eased towards finish, won at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gf beating Wenlocks Wonder (11-4) by 9l, 14 ran.
Four For A Laugh (IRE) 3-1fav (11-1) Mid-division, lost place after 4f, soon behind, 10th of 14, 28l behind Legal Glory (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn nhf (H) gd in Nov.
Houlihans Free (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up and behind, short lived effort 5th, 8th of 12, 46l behind Cream Cracker (10-12) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Jul.
Itsdowntoben 9-2 (11-3) In touch, jumped left 2nd, weakened 6th, behind when mistake 3 out, 7th of 9, well behind Lord Ryeford (11-3) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Lucent (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, one pace, 9th of 13, 26l behind Willie Pep (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Jan.
Native Forest (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, driven 7f out, weakened 5f out, 7th of 10, 29l behind Sir Jimmy Shand (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gd in Jan.
Percy Jay (NZ) 66-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, mistake 2nd, always behind, 8th of 14, well behind Paro (10-11) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gf.
Slick (FR) 3-1fav (10-12) Tracked leader to 4th, blundered 7th and weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Dearson (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (E) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Aber Gale 100-1 (10-5) Pulled early and held up towards rear fell 4 out in race won by Private Be (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Dec, 11 ran.
Tour Card (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, outpaced over 4f out, 7th of 14, 26l behind Alfie Flits (11-7) at Southwell 2m 4yo nhf (6) gs in Jan.
