held up, effort to chase leaders over 4f out, ridden and one pace final 2f
led until went lame before halfway and pulled up
raced on inside, held up, headway from 5f out, stayed on same pace final 2f
raced on outside, held up, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, hard ridden and one pace final 2f
pulled hard, raced on inside, prominent, ridden over 4f out, one pace final 2f
raced on outside, always prominent, went 2nd 4f out, led 3f out, stayed on well, comfortably
took keen hold, raced on outside, headway going well to track leaders over 3f out, chased winner over 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
raced on outside, prominent, left in lead halfway, ridden and headed 3f out, soon weakened
soon chased leaders, ridden 7f out, soon weakened and well behind, tailed off
Nicky Henderson has always got to be feared in races like this and Classic Fiddle would not need to be anything out of the ordinary to see off Fredensborg and Itsy Bitsy, who hold the edge in terms of experience but are vulnerable to more progressive type. Push The Port is another interesting newcomer to note in the betting and is worth keeping tabs on from here. Fredensborg found all sorts of trouble he last raced and was not given too hard a time of things when his chance had gone. He will be a lot wiser this time around and is fancied to give the selection the most to think about. However, Classic Fiddle (as his name suggests) is a son of Classic Cliche and really does look the part on paper. He is bred for this game and it will be very interesting to see how his career develops from here.
Fredensborg (NZ) 15-8fav (11-8) In touch and keen, ridden 3f out, hung left over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 14, 3l behind Don Castille (11-0) at Stratford 2m mdn nhf (4) gs.
Red Bells Magic Ring horse out of a hurdle and chase winning racemare, half-brother to winning hurdler Red Dahlia.
Push The Port (IRE) Dushyantor gelding, half-brother to 5f winner Easter Island and flat and hurdles winner Hidden Genius.
Spartan Encore Spartan Monarch gelding out of an unraced mare.
Classic Fiddle Classic Cliche filly out of dual chase and Grade 1 hurdles winner Fiddling The Facts.
Gaelic Gift (IRE) 40-1 (9-8) Held up in rear, steady headway 6f out, chased leading pair over 3f out, one pace over 1f out, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Cockspur (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (6) gs in Feb.
Itsy Bitsy 10-1 (10-6) Held up, outpaced over 3f out, kept on, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 7l behind Apollo Lady (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m mrs nhf (6) gd in Feb.
Pharly Green Pharly filly out of a lightly-raced maiden.
