held up, headway 3 out, soon ridden, no further impression, slightly hampered last
in touch, ridden when hit 3 out, weakened next, left poor 2nd
held up and keen, ridden soon after halfway, weakened
tracked leader, weakened 5th, well behind when pulled up 2 out
in touch and keen, headway 3 out, driven to chase leader 2 out, one length down when left clear last
held up mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
led, hit 2nd, clear 3 out, ridden 2 out, 1 length up when fell last
held up rear, weakened after 4th, well behind when pulled up 2 out
We reckon that Miss Academy can get back to winning ways here, but Phar Bleu and Noble Request are no mugs and will present her with a good test. The selection made a very pleasing impression when scoring at Newcastle on her debut and possibly paid the price for racing prominently in a fast-run, but high-class, contest at Cheltenham last time. Back at this level, she can reconfirm her Cheltenham credentials. The French raider, New Rock, does not look a leading light from that country, despite showing some ability, while Magnetic Pole, a 12-furlong Brighton maiden winner on the Flat, did not show too much on his hurdling debut. It would be hard to feel confident about the Jonjo O'Neill horses at present, so Schapiro is passed over, but Phar Bleu has already displayed his talent by winning a Grade 1 event at Chepstow in December. He is useful, as is Noble Request, who has won to of his last three races and holds the Triumph Hurdle entry. From the Paul Nicholls stable, Nippy des Mottes has to be afforded some respect, but he'll have to be good to score at the first time of asking, not least because of the presence of the selection, which is Miss Academy.
Noble Request (FR) 5-2 Bumped 1st, made all, kept on well, ridden out, won at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gd beating Perfect Storm by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Phar Bleu (FR) 14-1 Held up, effort and ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 9, 37l behind Marcel at Sandown 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Jan.
Schapiro (USA) 8-1 Chased leaders, mistake 4th, soon lost place, behind when mistake 6th, 9th of 11, 42l behind Calomeria at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (A) gs in Oct.
Magnetic Pole 14-1 In touch, ridden after 4th, weakened next, 8th of 14, well behind Papini at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (E) gs in Jan.
Nippy Des Mottes (FR) won at Cluny 1m 4f stk gd in Jul beating Nifilco by 1/2l, 8 ran (Flat).
Off Beat (USA) 66-1 Jumped badly left and unseated rider in race won by Always Waining at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (D) gd, 12 ran.
Miss Academy (FR) 11-4fav Prominent, led after 5th, headed before last, weakened run-in, 4th of 16, 14l behind Akilak at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Jan.
Millie's Fortune 16-1 Led, headed 3f out, soon one pace, 10th of 18, 22l behind Giovanna at Doncaster 1m 5f 4yo nhf (H) gd in Jan.
