MASTER ARCHER didn’t win on the Flat but was second four times, including once over 2m on Polytrack. He should have better luck over hurdles, starting here. Hold Me Tight was still beaten 25 lengths when second at Exeter and Tamayef was beaten a similar distance when fourth at Ludlow. Mirzam did win on the level but should have done better at Fakenham on her first run for a new yard, though probably needed the run.
Hold Me Tight (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up off the pace in last pair, hampered 2nd, headway in 4th approaching 4th, distant 2nd before 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 25l behind Mercenaire (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) sft in Nov.
Investigation 50-1 (9-4) Raced keenly, led until ridden and headed 3f out, weakened rapidly, soon behind, last of 14, dist behind Quothquan (9-4) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp (5) hvy in Oct.
Master Archer (IRE) 5-2fav (9-1) Held up in touch, smooth headway, pace on outside chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and not pace of winner towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind St Mary's (10-0) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Tamayef (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear on outside, headway after 4 out, 4th and beaten next, 4th of 8, 25 3/4l behind Phoenix Dawn (10-12) at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Titan 33-1 (10-12) With leader, led 2nd, edged left on bend before 4th, headed and weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Mirzam (IRE) 7-2 (10-10) Held up, headway 3rd, weakened after 6th, 5th of 6, dist behind Cubswin (10-10) at Fakenham 2m fll (4) gd in Nov.
Pacofilha 50-1 (10-5) Always behind, tailed off, 6th of 15, dist behind We Have A Dream (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Nov.
So Hoity Toity 100-1 (10-10) In rear, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, dist behind Hillcrest Fire (10-10) at Leicester 2m fll (3) gs in Nov.
