ducked sharply right and almost unseated rider as tapes rose, behind, gained a place 3rd, disputing close 3rd 7th, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, rallied and hit last, went 2nd final 100 yards
led until 2nd, chased leader, led again 5th, joined 2 out, hung left under pressure and headed run-in, no extra in 3rd final 100 yards
took keen hold, with leader, led 2nd until 5th, hit next, pushed along and weakened after 3 out, eased, tailed off
held up in 4th, dropped to last 3rd, smooth headway on inside tracking leading pair and every chance 2 out, no impression and weakened into 4th run-in
tracked clear leading pair, closer from 7th, 2nd after 3 out, challenged last, ridden to lead run-in, wandered in front but kept on, driven out
A winner at Exeter recently, Culm Counsellor has been raised only 2lb but is upped in class. Fair To Middling went close at Uttoxeter during the summer but has disappointed since while Mondello has similar form having placed at the latter track early this year but well beaten on a couple of occasions last month. Quarryman and LOST IN LECCE have placed in maiden hurdles with the latter preferred on her recent fourth in a novices’ event at Market Rasen. She only faltered in the closing stages after making a mistake at the last and should make another bold bid.
Fair To Middling 14-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, driven and lost place 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 12, 32l behind Midnight Sapphire (11-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Lost In Lecce 4-1 (10-10) Pressed leader, ridden to lead briefly approaching 2 out, every chance next, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 5 1/4l behind Wizard's Sliabh (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov.
Quarryman 12-1 (11-10) Led into start, tracked leaders, lost place after 3rd, well behind 3 out, pulled up before next, at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Mondello (GER) 9-1 (11-12) With leader, led 3rd, headed after next, in touch, lost place 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before next, pulled up before last, at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Culm Counsellor 11-2 (10-5) Held up towards rear, ridden before 7th, headway approaching 3 out, went left 2 out, led flat, stayed on, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Nov beating Dropzone (10-3) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
