tracked leader, mistake 10th, fell 11th
led until headed 6th, led again next, unseated rider 15th
tracked leaders, led briefly 6th, left in lead 15th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, ridden 5 out, weakened soon after
mid-division, ridden 8th, mistake 12th, close order 14th, led 3 out, clear 2 out comfortable
mid-division, hit 2nd, mistake 5th, slow next, ridden and soon tailed off, pulled up before 15th
towards rear, driven 2nd, mistake 3rd, ridden 5th, lost touch 12th, stayed on from 4 out to take poor 3rd after last
in rear, mistake 1st, in 5th and in touch when unseated rider 15th
towards rear, ridden 5th, behind and mistake 6th, lost touch 10th, plugged on for remote 4th
The presence of Tremallt should ensure a decent gallop here and that should suit the Paul Nicholls-trained Howdydoody, who is preferred to Kick For Touch. Nicholls has a good line to Kick For Touch through his consistent performer Fasgo, who beat Henrietta Knight's gelding at Newton Abbot in November. Howdydoody earned a rating of 113 from limited opportunities over hurdles and has quickly been put over fences, losing no caste in defeat behind the useful Fork Lightning on his debut at Hereford a month ago. The winner there looked unlucky off a mark of 129 in a handicap next time so Howdydoody looks potentially well treated off a mark of just 113. The Philip Hobbs-trained Ross Minster has a long absence to overcome and is probably best watched, a comment that also applies to Mister Bigtime. Lightweight Quainton Hills would probably prefer a stiffer test of stamina and a bigger threat may be Jeremy Spider, who faced an impossible task in the Welsh National last time. However, Howdydoody looks well in on his handicap debut over fences and gets the vote.
