chased leader, challenged and every chance 2 out, soon ridden, ran on same pace flat
prominent, chased leader 3 out, challenged and led on bit approaching 2 out, soon ridden, pushed clear flat
always behind, jumped big and rider lost iron briefly 1st, not fluent 2nd, held off 5th
prominent, ridden and challenged 2 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway after 3 out, effort 2 out, weakened after last
mid-division, some headway after 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, chased leaders last, kept on well to go 2nd close home
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, weakened after 5th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
Raffaello, Idris Fibre Optics and Loita Hills look the principals in this competitive opener and the vote is given to Raffaello. The selection won his only race to date in good style. He is sure to have improved for the experience and under conditions that suit he is taken to win again. Idris rates the main danger as he also won well last time out when beating Craven but he will do well to give weight and a beating to some less exposed types and for that reason he is opposed. Fibre Optics won a bumper on his only start to date when beating Island Pearl. He is sure to have been well schooled for this his hurdling debut and with his yard in form he should be noted in the market. Loita Hills was second behind Prestbury Knight last time and is another with place claims but his stable are out of form and he looks appeasable on that basis. Of the remainder Great Memories is another that ran well on his debut and is sure to improve but he gave the impression he would be suited by a longer trip and for the winner we return to the unexposed Raffaello
Idris (GER) 14-1 (11-5) Led, headed after 1st, led 5th, headed last, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs beating Craven (11-11) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Raffaello (FR) (10-1) won at Toulouse 2m 1f hdl gs in Nov beating Rainbow Flag (10-1) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Cornish Orchid (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Held up, some late progress, never dangerous, 5th of 16, 36l behind Tokala (11-4) at Hereford 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Fibre Optics (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Held up in touch, headway over 4f out, led 3f out, ran on well, won at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Jul '04 beating Island Pearl (10-11) by 5l, 11 ran.
Great Memories 9-1 (10-11) Held up, headway 5f out, every chance 3f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 14, 13l behind Zanzibar Boy (11-4) at Chepstow 2m nhf (H) gs in Nov.
Hill Forts Timmy 8-1 (10-12) Held up last, ridden after 7th, kept on one pace from 3 out, 4th of 9, 21l behind Prestbury Knight (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Loita Hills (IRE) 6-5fav (10-12) Led 1st, headed approaching 2 out, left in lead 2 out, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Prestbury Knight (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
The Trojan Horse (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Always towards the rear, 10th of 15, well behind Red Georgie (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in May '04.
Fortanis 200-1 (10-2) Held up mid-division, weakened after 3rd, 14th of 19, well behind Blu Teen (11-0) at Lingfield 2m nov hdl (D) sft in Dec.
Ringagold 200-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear, ridden 7th, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 42l behind Private Be (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
