Brian Ellison did well to get hold of MASHAARI at the sales after he won a York handicap over 2m2f for John Gosden in October, beating the smart hurdler Cape Tribulation. A strapping individual himself, he'll take all the beating in this if his jumping is up to scratch. Only Orsenfoolsies and Calculated Risk are other hurdling newcomers who should make their mark in the months ahead while Haymarket has already won over timber, though couldn't overcome a penalty at Fakenham last time. Bountiful Catch has been placed twice but French import Rayadour disappointed on his hurdling debut at Sandown and has a bit to prove now.
Haymarket 9-4fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, chased leader 3 out, ridden and kept on one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Foster's Road (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 3yo hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Blades Lad 22-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 10, 23l behind Spirit Of The Law (9-1) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Jul (flat).
Bountiful Catch 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge after 3 out, soon outpaced, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Mcvicar (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Calculated Risk 7-4fav (9-5) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, not reached leaders, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Grand Liaison (9-4) at Salisbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) hvy in Oct (flat).
Chendiyr (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Raced wide in touch, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Foster's Road (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 3yo hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Extremely Alert 100-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, soon pushed along, ridden over 4f out, never dangerous, 7th of 15, 34l behind Albasharah (8-12) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) sft in Oct (flat).
Mashaari (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Held up in touch, closed when switched right over 3f out, challenged over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, held on, won at York 2m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct beating Cape Tribulation (9-10) by hd, 10 ran (flat).
Only Orsenfoolsies 8-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, pushed along and headway to chase leaders over 3f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 10l behind The Tiger (9-9) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct (flat).
Rayadour (IRE) 11-4fav (10-12) Headway to mid-division when slow and reminders after 3rd, headway under pressure to 5th before 2 out, soon no impression, 6th of 11, 38l behind Feb Thirtyfirst (11-2) at Sandown 2m 3yo hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Watt Broderick (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, held up in last trio, some headway to chase leaders when blundered 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 7, 46l behind Counsel (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Rhyme Royal 80-1 (10-2) Raced wide in touch, hit 3rd, outpaced 6th, 7th of 8, well behind Kashmir Peak (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Tresabella 33-1 (8-7) Awkwardly away raced wide close up, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out, last of 14, 50l behind Boonga Roogeta (9-6) at Yarmouth 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) hvy in Oct (flat).
