led to 3 out, weakened 2 out, mistake last
prominent, led 3 out, soon driven, headed last, no extra final 100 yards
held up, not fluent 3rd, ridden 5th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway 6th, challenged 2 out, led last, ridden clear final 100 yards
tracked leader, ridden after 6th, lost 2nd when not fluent 3 out, weakened 2 out
took keen hold, soon in touch, mistake 6th, soon beaten, awkward on bend approaching 3 out
A pretty moderate selling hurdle that should concern just four of the six runners with HARD AND FAST our selection to beat Le Corvee and Golden Globe. The horse hails from the rapidly emerging Tim Vaughan yard and has duly been sent off favourite on all four starts, winning one of them over further at Huntingdon in company similar to todays. That performance suggested the Welsh maestro may be able to find a few small races for the horse and so two subsequent failures must be counted as disappointing, however we will give the horse one last chance today dropping back to two miles with Dean Coleman claiming a useful 5lb. Le Corvee actually comes out best on the figures with an official rating of 115 but whether the horse would be up to winning off that mark in a handicap is debatable. That said, the seven-year-old has won four times over hurdles and in such a weak race must be given a decent chance. It is a big concern though that the horse is yet to win on ground any worse than good and indeed it remains to be seen whether the horse will take his chance here with conditions looking set to be testing. Golden Globe is the least exposed of these having had just the three racecourse starts to date. The last of those was the geldings debut over obstacles in similar company to todays and if taking a step forward he may be able to shake up the market principles here in what isn't a strong race, although it is doubtful the horse will be suited by this step back in trip having been under pressure from some way out last time. Feeling is the other worthy of close consideration as a last time out winner over course and distance in this grade. That effort at least showed the horse acts around the track and is in good heart although that was the horse's first win in 25 starts and a follow-up is far from certain under these very different conditions. Of the other two horses Natural Rhythm was running respectably when running out at Leicester and if better behaved this time it is not impossible he could cause an upset but Hard And Fast is the percentage call and so he is the selection.
Feeling (IRE) 2-1fav (10-7) Made all, hit last, all out, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-105 (5) gd in Oct beating Bet Noir (9-12) by hd, 11 ran.
Le Corvee (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Held up, struggling 3 out, always in rear, 9th of 11, 40l behind Scots Dragoon (10-13) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (3) gd.
Adare (GER) 250-1 (10-12) Held up, pushed along approaching 5th, soon weakened, tailed off, pulled up before last, in a race won by Thumbs Up (11-7) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft, 12 ran.
Golden Globe (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner from next, no impression, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Planetarium (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gd.
Hard And Fast (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and not fluent 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Hareem (10-3) at Market Rasen 2m 3f clm hdl (5) sft.
Natural Rhythm (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Held up, tracked leaders 4th, chased leaders when ran out 3 out, in a race won by Sacrilege (11-12) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (5) gd, 9 ran.
