tracked leaders, 2nd 5th, led between last two, easily
chased leaders, went 3rd 6th until ridden before 2 out, soon hung left and weakened
raced keenly, chased leader, led 4th, ridden after 3 out, headed between last two, no chance with easy winner
chased leaders, went left 3rd, weakened after next, soon lost touch, tailed off and pulled up 2 out
pulled hard, soon led, headed 4th, lost 2nd next, weakened 6th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up soon after
always behind, tailed off
held up and behind, steady headway tracking leaders 3 out, 3rd when mistake 2 out, kept on same pace
always behind, tailed off
John Ferguson's novices continue to carry most before then and FRANCIS OF ASSISI, a Listed winner on the Flat, was far too good for two previous winners on his hurdling debut at Stratford despite making several mistakes. He'll need to brush up his jumping to hold his own at a higher level but should defy his penalty in this. Ballycamp made another Ferguson novice, Vancouverite, work hard at Huntingdon last month so rates the danger ahead of course and distance third Jarlath. Richard Johnson rides the unexposed Rustamabad so he's likely to prove the best of Tim Vaughan's pair.
Francis Of Assisi (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) Raced freely, held up in 4th, went 3rd after 2 out, led before last, soon clear, ran on well, won at Stratford 2m (4) gd in Sep beating Closest Friend (10-12) by 6l, 5 ran.
Jarlath 8-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, driven to chase leaders after 3 out, kept on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 6, 5 1/4l behind Cusheen Bridge (11-12) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Ballycamp (IRE) 9-2fav (11-0) Led, clear 4th until not fluent 3 out, headed and bumped last, soon led again, headed and not pace of winner final 75 yards, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Vancouverite (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) gs in Aug.
Dr Izzymoo (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 19l behind What A Lark (10-9) at Southwell 2m (6) gd in Aug.
Ferngrove (USA) 33-1 (9-4) Towards rear and pushed along, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 10, 36 3/4l behind San Quentin (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Lawless Island (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders on inside, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 28l behind Vivant Poeme (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f (4) gd in Jun.
Rustamabad (FR) 2-1fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 5f out, driven and lost place inside final 2f, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 18 1/4l behind Roadie Joe (11-0) at Worcester 2m (6) gd in Aug.
Whitstable Native 100-1 (10-12) Towards rear, outpaced from 3 out, well behind next, 10th of 11, dist behind Maputo (11-5) at Stratford 2m 3f (4) gd in Sep.
Streele (USA) 10-1 (8-4) Mid-division, ridden in 9th entering straight, no impression, 11th of 18, 17 3/4l behind Tohugo (9-1) at Fairyhouse 1m 2f hcp gf in Jul.
