tracked leader, challenged and hit 3 out, pushed along and weakened before 2 out, mistake 2 out and pulled up
took keen hold, tracked leading pair until jinked sharply left and unseated rider 1st
led, hit 4th, joined 2 out, headed between last two, chased leader, held before last, left clear run-in
held up in 4th place, left in 3rd at 1st, not fluent 3rd, 2nd going well before 2 out, led between last 2, clear before last, swerved badly left virtually refused to race rider lost iron and headed run-in
Only four runners in this novices' hurdle but it's a trappy contest nonetheless. Bad Boy Du Pouldu was quite impressive when making a winning debut at Pau in January but now has a penalty to overcome. Starving Marvin has been improving with experience and was second over track and trip on his latest start. What's The Scoop wasn't disgraced at Kempton after finishing third on his debut at Ascot, though has been racing over longer trips. AIR HORSE ONE couldn't quite match the finishing speed of a previous winner at Taunton last time but proved he handles heavy going and can go one better today.
Bad Boy Du Pouldu (FR) 10-1 (10-7) won at Pau 2m 1f gd in Jan beating Ouaitamer (11-4) by 4l, 17 ran.
Air Horse One 2-1fav (11-4) Held up in touch, not fluent 5th, 3rd when not fluent 2 out, no impression on winner, drifted left flat, stayed on, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 14, 3 1/4l behind Allee Bleue (11-10) at Taunton 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Starving Marvin 8-1 (11-2) Led, headed last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Protek Des Flos (11-0) at Sandown 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
What's The Scoop (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 1st, went 2nd 5th until before 2 out, no extra flat, 5th of 13, 11 1/4l behind Ballyhenry (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) sft in Feb.
