tracked leaders, pressed winner 2 out, soon every chance, driven out flat, held towards finish
made most, jumped left 1st, pressed from 2 out, rider dropped rein flat, driven out gamely
in touch in rear, not fluent 4th, pushed along 3 out, not trouble leaders, hit last
keen close up, ridden to chase leading pair 2 out, keeping on same pace when hit last
pressed winner, hampered 1st, ridden and weakened quickly approaching 2 out
Neil Mullholland runs INVICTUS SMART against older horses on his first start since scoring on testing ground in France in November after which he went for £200,000 at the horses-in-training sales. He can make a winning start providing he acts on the quicker going. Doctor Ken won a bumper here and an Ascot maiden hurdle on good ground before well beaten in much softer conditions. Dual bumper winner Super Six landed a Perth novices’ hurdle last year and returned to form in a handicap at Taunton where only narrowly beaten but the remaining pair have plenty to do.
Doctor Ken (FR) 15-8 (11-7) Chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, no extra approaching last, 4th of 13, 27l behind Trelawne (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) sft in Feb.
Super Six 9-2 (11-12) Midfield, slow 5th, hit 4 out, pushed to almost join leader 2 out where awkward, ridden before last, kept on well, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Dibble Decker (11-9) at Taunton 2m hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Baby Ben (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway into 3rd before 4 out, mistake and unseated rider 3 out, at Taunton 2m 3f (4) sft in Mar.
I'm Spellbound (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up in 3rd, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, struggling and no chance after, last of 3, 29 1/4l behind Herewegohoney (10-7) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gs in Mar.
Invictus Smart (FR) 6-4 (10-5) Led, hampered by loos horse, led 2 out, easily, won at Fontainebleau 2m 2f hvy in Nov beating Lord D'ex (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
