chased leaders, driven and outpaced, not fluent 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace approaching last, no impression
made all, 4 lengths clear when mistake 2 out, driven and stayed on well flat
mid-division, lost place 5th, soon weakened, tailed off
raced keenly, held up mid-division, some headway at 3 out, kept on same pace from next, never on terms
not fluent early, held up towards rear, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous
mid-division on outside, outpaced 5th, ridden next, no danger after
raced keenly, held up behind, struggling 5th, soon weakened, tailed off
raced keenly, soon in touch, hit 4th and 5th, lost place next, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division, lost place 5th, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, no impression
chased winner 2 out, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, kept on, no impression
held up in rear, lost touch 5th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out, dismounted
MASLAK is given the vote to land the opener after an impressive victory at Fontwell last time. Behind him in that was Haddaaf who has struggled under his penalties but is better off at the weights with Maslak now that Peter Hiatt's charge has accumulated that additional weight as a result of his victory last time. The selection showed that he had benefited considerably from his initial hurdling experience and this former smart flat performer could be the type to do well over obstacles. Solent was verging on listed class on the flat but is not competitive off his current mark. He made a pleasing hurdling debut but was awarded a soft lead by his rivals there. The most pleasing aspect to his performance was his hurdling, as he jumped with a great deal of fluency. Haddaff won two weak hurdles earlier this year but has since struggled giving weight away to a better class of rival and will continue to do so. Of the non-winners Beverly Hill Billy and Chesapeake showed some promise on the level. The first mentioned tends to race very keenly throughout the early stages of his races and if that continues his ability to see out his races will become an issue. Unfurled is an intriguing hurdling debutant hailing from a yard who seem to excel at this time of year. Seventh in the 2006 Epsom Derby for John Dunlop he always shaped as a stayer on the level. After 1127 days since his last run the market is the best guide to his chances today. Maslak is selected to land the opener in what looks a decent novice hurdle.
Haddaaf (USA) 7-2 (11-12) Held up, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, hit next, stayed on flat, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Maslak (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gd.
Maslak (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Chased leader, led 5th, made rest, ridden 2 out, stayed on well flat, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gd beating Cavallini (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Bad Boy Al (IRE) 5-2fav (9-3) Tracked leader, led 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 16, 17l behind Squirtle (8-4) at Thirsk 2m hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jul (Flat).
Beverly Hill Billy 13-8fav (10-12) Not fluent throughout, held up mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after, 7th of 11, well behind Majestic Chief (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Aug '07.
Chesapeake (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, struggling after 6th, slightly outpaced next, stayed on from last, 5th of 14, 9l behind Arctic Wings (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Parkview Love (USA) 14-1 (10-5) Held up, headway 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Shore Thing (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Royal Flyer (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Always behind, 11th of 12, well behind Eight Palms (10-8) at Stratford 2m nhf (6) gd in Mar.
Surdoue 20-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, weakened 3 out, 6th of 8, well behind Basalt (10-12) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Jul.
Sydneyroughdiamond 28-1 (10-11) Led, soon clear, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, well behind Alsadaa (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Aug '07.
Topjeu (IRE) 3-1fav (9-4) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Misty Dancer (8-10) at Ayr 1m 5f hcap (3) gd in Jun '07 (Flat).
Unfurled (IRE) 4-1 (8-10) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Mubtaker (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 6f lst stk (1) gd in Aug '05 (Flat).
Pretty Posey 40-1 (8-7) Very slowly away, always behind, last of 12, 31l behind Hester Brook (8-12) at Bath 1m 2f sll (6) frm in Jul (Flat).
Solent (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Made all, soon clear, unchallenged, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Aug beating Wood Fern (10-7) by 12l, 8 ran.
