prominent, not fluent and led 2nd, mistake 8th, hit 12th, clear 2 out, 8 lenghts ahead when fell last
led until 2nd, tracked leader until not fluent 9th, soon ridden and lost place, rallied approaching 2 out, jumped left and left 2nd last, no impression
held up in 5th, headway to go 2nd 9th, no impression 2 out, 8 lenghts down when left in lead last, ridden out
prominent, fell 8th
tracked leaders on outside, not fluent 9th, pushed along after 11th, beaten in 4th from 3 out, left 3rd last
held up in last, pushed along after 6th briefly, went 4th 12th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next
Fredo lacks a bit of stature and is always going to struggle against more scopey chasing types. One such is A FRENCH HORSE, who shaped well against more experienced rivals when third on his debut over fences at Ffos Las - this stiffer track should be in his favour. Mortimers Cross had Cool Mission behind when third over a longer trip at Ffos Las last month, but is jumping fences late in life and may not have as much scope as Donald McCain's charge. Neil Harvey was a useful hurdler but may need this and Only The Best will have to improve dramatically on his comeback fourth at Hexham.
A French Horse (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, headed next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Osric (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m 3f nov chs (4) sft in Dec.
Cool Mission (IRE) 13-2 (10-11) Led until 3rd, remained prominent, under pressure 10th, weakened 5 out, rallied 2 out, never on terms, 4th of 7, 10l behind Galaxy Rock (11-0) at Ffos Las 3m beg chase (4) sft in Jan.
Fredo (IRE) 7-4fav (10-9) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led before 4 out, soon headed, ridden before next, kept on, one pace, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Alvarado (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Jan.
Mortimers Cross 8-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, jumped right 7th, led 11th, headed when not fluent 3 out, blundered next, soon weakened, lost 2nd after last, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Galaxy Rock (11-0) at Ffos Las 3m beg chase (4) sft in Jan.
Neil Harvey (IRE) 4-5fav (11-5) Chased leaders, led 5th, ridden and strongly pressed after 3 out, headed 2 out, soon no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Zemsky (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar '09.
Only The Best 11-4 (10-12) In rear, headway approaching 13th, pushed along approaching 15th, hit 3 out, one pace and no impression from next, 4th of 8, 18l behind Club Class (10-5) at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (3) hvy in Nov.