held up, headway 7th, effort after 3 out, 3rd when lost action and pulled up before next
tracked leaders until lost pace 7th, soon ridden, headway after 3 out, left 3rd next, no further impression
tracked leaders and keen, went 2nd after 3 out, soon ridden, every chance when mistake last, not recover
made all, hit 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well from last
mid-division, reminders after 6th, headway to track winner next, ridden after 3 out, gradually weakened
towards rear, some headway 7th, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before next
chased winner until 7th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, weakened quickly next
lost touch 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
Nonrunner
Kristoffersen, The Wooden Spoon and Baseball Ted are the trio to concentrate upon and we are with the last named. Baseball Ted was the subject of plenty of support at Taunton and he only just failed to land it on the day. A step up in trip should suit and he could be well treated off his current handicap mark. The Wooden Spoon owes his punters after a couple of very public reverses. The handicapper has scarcely made thinks easy. Kristoffersen is an admirable sort that has been able to show consistent form in spite of infirmities. He had little chance against Very Cool at Sandown but finished well ahead of the others. The booking of Mick Fitzgerald on The Venetian certainly takes the eye. The trainer endured a moderate Cheltenham but he has sent out plenty of winners over the last seven days. Federstar showed well in juvenile hurdles and the market willl tell us how straight he is on return from a long absence. Legally Fast is another to chase former glories although his two subsequent runs after a layoff have yielded little to speak of. Festival Flyer won well at Wincanton but a 10lb rise for an exposed veteran will be ensuring that the handicapper will be off this year's christmas card list. A competitive heat and Basebell Ted looks best in.
Federstar (GER) 11-2 (11-5) Held up in touch, headway to join leader 5th, led after 4 out, joined 2 out, hung left after last, kept on and headed near finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Pace Shot (11-0) at Aintree 2m 3yo nov hdl (C) gs in Oct '05.
Legally Fast (USA) 33-1 (10-3) Mid-division, ridden 7th, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Wind Instrument (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd, 15 ran.
Master d'Or (FR) 16-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, pulled hard, mistake 1st, beaten approaching 3 out, 9th of 11, 37l behind Native Coral (11-5) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs.
The Wooden Spoon (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway and not fluent 7th, outpaced after 8th, rallied before 4 out, mistake 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 17, 8l behind Pangbourne (10-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Joli Classical (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Towards rear, headway 7th, keeping on when mistake 3 out, no chance with leaders, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Aberdeen Park (10-10) at Plumpton 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Baseball Ted (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Held up, hit 4th, headway 6th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, switched left flat, kept on close home, 2nd of 10, nk behind Lord Lieutenant (9-7) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy.
Festival Flyer 25-1 (11-4) Mid-division when fell at the 6th in race won by Amber Brook (10-9) at Exeter 2m 6f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec, 19 ran.
The Venetian (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Soon struggling, always in rear, 6th of 18, 33l behind Double The Trouble (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f amt hcp hdl (5) gs.
Pennyrock (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Led, headed 2nd, weakened approaching 3rd, 9th of 12, well behind Franchoek (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Kristoffersen 14-1 (10-8) In touch, outpaced 3 out, kept on under pressure flat but always held, 2nd of 9, 14l behind Very Cool (11-5) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
