with leader, hit 3rd, led 4 out, mistake and headed next, weakened quickly before 2 out
took keen hold in touch, challenged after 3 out, 3rd and staying on same pace when hit last, no impression flat
made most to 4 out, weakened after next
raced in 4th, led 3 out, headed before 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, led before next, headed last, not pace of winner flat
held up, close up but under pressure 3 out, no extra after next
settled in rear, smooth headway to track leading pair after 3 out, joined leader next, led last, pushed clear flat
Fairly Smart gets the vote here ahead of Signature Tune and Shaman. The selection runs here under a penalty following a Chepstow win on heavy going last time. That was an improvement on his previous three efforts and connections are now looking to strike while the iron is hot because he is set to rise by eight pounds in the ratings after this race. Signature Tune showed improved form to score in a course and distance novice hurdle last time and the impression he left there was that there is better to come. so grant him all due respect. Shaman is now just two pounds higher than for his February win but, that said, has yet to build on that effort. The form of Inducement's seventh in Market Rasen's Summer Hurdle of 2002 reads well but he has had only one run since August of the same year. With Running Times having been beaten in a seller last time and the bottom two out of the weights, we turn once again to Fairly Smart, who gets the vote in the finale.
