tracked leaders, went 2nd 11th, ridden and every chance approaching last, one pace flat
tracked leaders, shaken up after 3 out, soon weakened
led, not fluent 4 out, driven and joined last, headed flat, stayed on
with leader, not fluent 4th, lost place 11th, weakened before 4 out
held in touch in last, headway 4 out, challenged last, ridden to lead flat, cosily
tracked leaders, pushed along 11th, not fluent 4 out, weakened before next
Koup De Kanon and Optical High both return from massive lay-offs and are best watched whilst The Shropshire Lad has hitherto shown nothing although it would not surprise to see him improve under the tutelage of Dan Skelton. Fuzzy Logic needs to improve and it's Lemony Bay who has the best form over the larger obstacles, having shaped adequately on both fencing starts. He should progress for Oliver Sherwood but is rated 29lb inferior to ROMAN FLIGHT on official hurdles ratings. The latter is therefore preferred in the hope he'll prove effective over fences, especially with David Dennis having booked Noel Fehily for this fencing debut.
Fuzzy Logic (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Tracked winner, driven and no impression in 3rd after 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 4, 17l behind Dormello Mo (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f nov chs (3) gd in Jun.
Koup De Kanon (FR) 6-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Keep Kicking (11-4) at Kempton 2m NH flat (5) std in Jan '13.
Lemony Bay 14-1 (11-0) Held up, not fluent 8th, headway before 11th, outpaced 4 out, modest 3rd before next, 2nd of 6, 13l behind Mortlestown (10-6) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Optical High 7-2 (10-4) Led, reminder after 4 out, headed approaching next, ridden and no impression in 3rd from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Millers Reef (11-7) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec '13.
Roman Flight (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Held up, well beaten after 3 out, 12th of 17, 14l behind Gran Maestro (10-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f Listed Handicap Hurdle (3yo+) (1) gd.
The Shropshire Lad 100-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out, 10th of 11, well behind Glingerburn (11-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.