jumped right, led before 2nd, clear 3 out, mistake and stumbled 2 out, swished tail flat, stayed on well
raced in 4th, pushed along 8th, weakened before 4 out, pulled up before last
whipped round start and lost many lengths, behind, went 4th before 4 out, never any chance
led 1st until before 2nd where jumped left, chased winner after, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, not fluent and no extra next
led until 1st, chased leaders, disputing 2nd from 7th, no impression on winner in clear 2nd from 3 out, kept on
Magic Dancer made an impressive winning start over fences at Worcester but, despite a penalty, is 4lb out of the handicap in this and facing a much stiffer task. A useful hurdler, Fast Buck had jumping issues over fences last season and Fransham was a Wetherby specialist over timber. FLIC OU VOYOU’s half-brother Captain Speaking won three times over fences last year so there is a good chance that the Nicholls’ runner will make an even better chaser than hurdler and he gets the nod, though Minella Drama is much respected given he placed in Grade 1 and Grade 2 company over timber last season and has already placed in two point-to-points.
Minella Drama (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division on outside, closed 6th, slightly hampered 4 out, 2nd 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no impression on winner before last, pressed for 2nd flat, kept on, 2nd of 12, 9 1/2l behind My Drogo (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
Fast Buck (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders on inside, went right and bumped winner 4th, close enough when fell 6th, at Doncaster 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Fransham 28-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden along before 3 out, one pace before 2 out, fell last, at Aintree 2m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Flic Ou Voyou (FR) 13-2 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden 2 out, kept on, not pace to challenge, 5th of 9, 7 3/4l behind Masters Legacy (10-8) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Magic Dancer 8-1 (11-4) Always handy, led 3 out, clear last, eased towards finish, won at Worcester 2m hcp (3) sft in Oct beating Not Available (11-12) by 10l, 10 ran.
