disputed 2nd until 4th, hit next, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
towards rear, pushed along 4th, never dangerous
always behind, tailed off 3 out
mid-division, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, beaten before 2 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway 3rd, struggling from next
mid-division, headway 4th, went 2nd after 3 out, disputed lead from 2 out, took lead towards finish
disputed lead until after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
mistakes, always behind, tailed off 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 5th, disputed lead from 2 out, not fluent last, held towards finish
jumped slowly early, always behind, tailed off
raced keenly, led, hard pressed 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra flat
Ciceron has run promisingly in both starts over hurdles and the Venetia Williams-trained gelding has every chance of going one better than when chasing home Anak at Kempton earlier this month but a better bet looks to be HUNTERVIEW, who gets the vote with Riskareas rated the pick of the remainder. The selection came up against what looked a good recruit to the novice hurdling ranks in Salden Licht at Plumpton recently but earlier form at Newbury and decent flat form when with Michael Jarvis suggests that he is worth siding with in this company. Theologist showed some ability on the flat for Amanda Perrett and now makes his debut for Richard Newland over hurdles and he has to be respected but more solid claims are held by Mallorey. Alex Hales has his string in fine form at present and he has to be considered but the gelding does have a bit to find with Ciceron on running behind Anak. Amanda Perrett's Blue Tango has been well held in both starts so far and of more interest is Alan King's Riskareas, who ran well on his only start in France and now makes his debut for his new handler, who has his string in good from now. Hunterview has solid claims on what we have seen of him in two starts over timber and he can open his account over hurdles.
Blue Tango (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Soon led, ridden after 2 out, headed before last, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Diktalina (10-5) at Folkestone 2m 1f Juvenile Maiden Hurdle (4yo) (4) sft.
Braveheart Move (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Not fluent, close up in 4th, lost place when not fluent 4th, dropped to rear and struggling from next, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Anak (11-5) at Kempton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft.
Captain Walcot 6-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Fantastic Fred (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Jan '09 (flat).
Ciceron (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Close up, headway to 3rd 3 out, 2nd before next, every chance 2 out, no extra when mistake last, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Anak (11-5) at Kempton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft.
Doran's Lodge (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden approaching 4th, behind from next, 5th of 12, 42l behind Corredor Sun (10-12) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Hunterview 6-4 (10-7) Held up, headway approaching 6th, no extra from last, 4th of 13, 7l behind Salden Licht (11-10) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Mallorey 40-1 (10-9) Took keen hold in touch, headway to track leaders from 4th, led narrowly 3 out, headed before 2 out, hit 2 out, kept on flat, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Anak (11-5) at Kempton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft.
Pergamon (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd, hit 4th, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Ultimate (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Riskareas (FR) (10-5) 3rd of 13, 6l behind Montsoue (10-5) at Nantes(FR) 2m 1f hdl gs in Sep.
Theologist (IRE) 15-8fav (9-7) Led, pushed along 3f out, headed over 2f out, chased winner after, no impression when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 5, 3l behind Saborido (9-4) at Bath 2m 1f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct (flat).
No Sting 12-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, led until after 1st, left in lead next, slightly hampered by loose horse 3rd, mistake and headed 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 25l behind Olofi (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
