tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, upsides last, driven out to lead towards finish
tracked leaders and keen, hit 3 out, ridden next, one pace
held up mid-division, chased leaders 6th, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, weakened after 3 out
held up, weakened from 6th, tailed off
held up in touch, pushed along and lost place from 4th
led until after 5th, tracked leader, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, weakened after 5th
held up in rear, some headway from 3 out, never dangerous
with leader, led after 5th, under pressure from 2 out, headed towards finish
held up in touch, weakened after 3 out
held up, headway approaching 6th, no extra from last
An interesting match up on paper between the highly rated SALDEN LICHT and useful flat horse Hunterview, with ready preference for the former. Alan King's gelding achieved a rating in the nineties on the flat and showed hurdles to hold no terrors when a ready scorer on debut. That effort under similar conditions at Newbury augured well for the future and connections will be hopeful he can defy a penalty, possibly at the expense of Hunterview. David Pipe's recruit was of a similar level of ability to our selection on the level and defied market weakness to take second on his hurdling debut. With the promise of more to come and the likely going set to pose no problems for this four-year-old, he rates a live threat in receipt of weight. On paper this looks set to develop into a match, with Beau Fighter looking booked for third at best. Gary Moore's gelding should act on the ground and showed some promise when third on debut over hurdles so can get the better of Beau Lake once more, Sue Smith's charge having taken fifth in that contest. Future Vision hasn't shown much as yet but may be capable of better, although we feel he'll be seen in a better light once handicapping, and similar comments apply to the same owner's Cappagh who has been competing in a better quality of race without cutting much ice. It would be no surprise to see Rebel Dancer improve on the bare form of his debut sixth with conditions to suit and this one could grab a place at a price, and he's certainly of more interest than Vin Rose who is beginning to look exposed. Sarando ran poorly on the flat last time and isn't likely to be suited by softened ground and the rest look up against it, with Salden Licht likely to set a tough standard.
Salden Licht 2-1fav (11-0) Close up, headway to chase leaders going well approaching 3 out, led before 2 out, drew clear flat, driven out, won at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Nice One Eric (11-0) by 6l, 18 ran.
Beau Fighter 16-1 (11-2) Held up, outpaced 4 out, headway after 3 out, went poor 3rd after 2 out, jumped left last, no impression, 3rd of 11, 18l behind Notus De La Tour (10-11) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Beau Lake (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 11, 23l behind Notus De La Tour (10-11) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Bridge of Fermoy (IRE) 200-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 11, well behind Notus De La Tour (10-11) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Cappagh (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) In touch, behind from 4th, tailed off, last of 16, well behind On Borrowed Wings (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Cedar Falls (USA) 150-1 (11-0) Always in rear, tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind Oscar Whisky (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Future Vision 16-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, weakened soon after, 7th of 16, 17l behind On Borrowed Wings (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Queenstown Lad 250-1 (11-0) Not fluent, always behind, tailed off, 15th of 18, well behind Salden Licht (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Rebel Dancer (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 15, well behind Chain Of Command (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Sarando 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 13, 22l behind Farleigh House (10-7) at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Foot To The Flora 200-1 (10-5) Always in rear, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Tito Bustillo (11-8) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Vin Rose 16-1 (10-10) Chased leader, every chance approaching 2 out, where mistake and weakened soon after, 6th of 12, 18l behind Dot's Delight (10-5) at Lingfield 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Hunterview 9-4fav (10-12) In touch, headway after 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, driven to challenge before last and mistake, hard ridden and stayed on under pressure run-in, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Orzare (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) hvy in Dec.
King Richard (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Always behind, last of 11, well behind Notus De La Tour (10-11) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
