tracked leader, led approaching last, soon headed, kept on same pace
held up in rear, driven and headway 2 out, led approaching last, ran on well
led, headed approaching last, soon one paced
tracked leaders, jumped left throughout, slow 5th, soon lost place, weakened before 3 out
held up in touch, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden to challenge, weakened last
Frascati Park showed a decent level of form in bumpers for Nigel Twiston-Davies in winning three of his four starts and made an encouraging start to his hurdling career when finding just Reve De Sivola too good at Chepstow in October so he has to be strongly considered but a better bet looks to be LIKE MINDED, who gets the vote ahead of Manyriverstocross. Alan King's gelding showed a decent level of form on the flat and looked useful when making a winning start to his hurdling career when landing a maiden hurdle at Chepstow last month but a subsequent defeat when odds on behind Inventor is of concern and he may be best watched today. Emma Lavelle's Talenti has been highly tried over the last two seasons but remains a maiden over timber and is hard to recommend having struggled last term. In comparison, Gary Moore's Vino Griego is relatively lightly raced after just three career starts but he has a bit to find with Manyriverstocross on Ascot running on his hurdling debut last time and a better bet looks to be Like Minded. The five-year-old was a dual winner in point-to-points before joining Paul Nicholls, for who the gelding has run well in both starts in bumpers. The son of Kayf Tara won unchallenged on his hurdling debut at Kempton a month ago and looks to have an obvious chance of following up here.
Like Minded 8-15fav (10-12) Chased leader who was clear until 4th, challenged 7th, led before next, clear when mistake 2 out, easily, won at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Pak Jack (10-12) by 10l, 8 ran.
Manyriverstocross (IRE) 1-2fav (11-5) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, challenged leader from 2 out, every chance next, one pace flat, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Inventor (10-9) at Ascot 2m hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Frascati Park (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Led, clear after 5th, reduced lead and not fluent 7th, ridden and joined 2 out, headed before when mistake last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Reve De Sivola (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Oct.
Talenti (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, last of 6, 42l behind Diamond Harry (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Vino Griego (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Keen, with leader, led 3 out, ridden, headed bend approaching 2 out, no extra when edged right and hit 2 out, 7th of 10, 19l behind Inventor (10-9) at Ascot 2m hdl (3) gd in Nov.
