tracked leader, ridden approaching and every chance 2 out, kept on to lead run-in, driven out
led, ridden approaching 2 out, soon headed, gradually weakened
tracked leaders, ridden approaching and hit 2 out, soon one pace
always towards rear
in touch, smooth headway to lead 2 out, soon ridden, jumped left last, soon headed and one pace
mid-division, lost place 4th, soon beaten
mid-division, weakened from 3 out, soon beaten
An ordinary novices' hurdle where the disappointing Fushe Jo bids to break his duck over hurdles and he can do so at the expense of Woodcraft and Danish Rebel. Fushe Jo is stoutly bred and being a half brother to his stable companion Arcalis, stamina appears to be the major issue with this gelding. Having pulled profusely on both his hurdle starts to date, he has shown a tendency to hang in the latter stages of his races and may not be the most straight forward of individuals. It will be interesting to see what tactics are applied. A reproduction of his most recent outing, where he finished a three length second to Cornell Precedent in a 16 runner Wetherby maiden hurdle, should see him land the spoils. Shooting in the dark is an understatement when attempting to select likely challengers to the favourite. Donald McCain introduces a hurdling debutant in Woodcraft, an 80 rated 1m 2f performer for Barry Hills during the 2007 flat season. Market moves would have to be respected where Woodcraft is concerned. Of the remainder, Danish Rebel is the only contender that has indicated a level of form that could see him get involved. Another who can be quite keen in his races, an improvement in the form that saw Danish Rebel finish third in a Musselburgh novice hurdle, having raced prominently for much of the journey would see him involved. Market moves for the Mick Easterby trained Tracer and the Howard Johnson second string Art Sirius should be noted. A novice hurdle lacking quality and Fushe Jo is taken to open his account at the expense of Danish Rebel.
Act Sirius (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced 2 out, never dangerous after, 8th of 16, 38l behind Pagan Starprincess (10-5) at Hexham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Danish Rebel (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, disputed lead briefly after 4 out, soon ridden, one pace, 3rd of 13, 20l behind Los Nadis (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Fushe Jo 10-11fav (10-12) In touch and keen, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, hung left flat, one pace, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Cornell Precedent (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gf in Oct.
Grey Light (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Held up behind, weakened from 5th, 13th of 14, well behind dhtrs Pertemps Networks (10-12) & Bantry Bere (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Quick Will (FR) 11-2 (10-9) In touch, in 5th and weakening when fell at the last in race won by Hello Nod (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov, 12 ran.
Tracer 50-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 6th of 13, 25l behind Los Nadis (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Woodcraft 4-1fav (8-6) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Shela House (8-7) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct (Flat).
Florentino 66-1 (10-5) Towards rear, pushed along 4th, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 23l behind Hello Nod (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Troys Steps 100-1 (8-12) Soon led, headed after 1f, pushed along over 5f out, weakening when slightly hampered over 3f out, 6th of 7, well behind Restless Soul (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Nov (Flat).
