tracked leaders, headway 3 out, went 2nd before next, switched right and led between last 2, clear last, eased near finish
held up behind, headway approaching 3 out, driven to chase leaders before next, ridden and one pace between last 2, no impression
led, hit 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, no impression when went left last, lost 2nd near finish
mistake 1st, held up in touch, headway 3 out, driven and outpaced before next, soon one pace
tracked leader to before 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, stayed on under pressure to regain 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
chased leaders, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened
LORD VILLEZ was good enough to win at Newcastle last time and this is arguably an even weaker contest, so he can defy a penalty to follow-up, with Catch Key and Perfectus also considered. Ferdy Murphy wouldn't be noted for novices hurdlers running up sequences of success, which means that in spite of the apparently poor opposition here he is one to treat with an element of caution. Even so, he is the only previous hurdles winner in the field, acts with cut and over this trip, and he can hopefully repeat or improve on his Gosforth Park form to go in again. If he can't do so then Perfectus has got winning bumper form and Malcolm Jefferson may have been able to find some improvement in the six-year-old since he joined him from James Lambe. Watch the market for clues where he is concerned, and also with the Tim Easterby-trained pair of Catch Key and Favours Brave. The latter has been on the slide on the level after suffering for a placed effort at Kempton almost a year ago. He will stay further than this but should act on the ground. Catch Key has shown moderate ability on the Flat, but has to have doubts over her ability to stay given that most of those runs were over 7f and also on fast ground and we'll side with Lord Villez.
Lord Villez (FR) 15-8fav (11-1) Held up in rear, mistake 5th, headway top of straight over 3f out, led 3f out, not fluent last, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) sft beating Montoya's Son (11-1) by 3l, 9 ran.
Perfectus (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, ridden 7th, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Mallusk (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Sirmuhta (FR) 300-1 (10-9) Chased leader, took closer order from 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 16, 25l behind Good Old Thyme (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Aquapark 50-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, driven halfway, weakened over 3f out, 4th of 5, 31l behind Lava Steps (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f mdn stks (5) fbs in Dec (flat).
Favours Brave 16-1 (8-9) Soon with leader, lost place well over 4f out, soon tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Charging Indian (8-7) at Southwell 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Oct (flat).
Solo Choice 16-1 (10-6) Took keen hold, soon held up towards rear, ridden well over 2f out, never troubled leaders, 8th of 11, 9l behind Bright Sparky (10-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f Amateur Handicap (0-52) (4yo+) (6) pol in Feb (flat).
Catch Key (IRE) 50-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, weakened from 3 out, tailed off from 2 out, 8th of 13, well behind Quatro Pierji (11-0) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
