led, headed after 9th, tracked leader, led again 14th, ridden after last, kept on well
took keen hold, tracked leaders in 3rd, led after 9th, hit 12th, headed 14th, about a length down when blundered 3 out, hit next, kept on and held run-in
with winner, chased leading pair from 9th, outpaced from 3 out, weakened next
THE FERBANE MAN is selected ahead of Now Listen To Me and Nom de Guerre. Tim Vaughan's charge had been seen over hurdles last year but he seemed to cope admirably enough with a step up in trip and the larger obstacles at Hereford. A winner under a strong ride yesterday, if he arrives in a similar vein this afternoon, he will take some beating. Now Listen To Me has had experience over the bigger obstacles. Judging by the way he has been campaigned, connections have clearly seen him as a summer jumping prospect. Nom de Guerre should have stripped fitter for a recent outing over hurdles and the market must therefore be monitored. Orion Star faces a very tough assignment at these terms and is readily opposed. A race where three participants have realistic chances and pick of the triumvirate has to be The Ferbane Man.
Nom de Guerre (IRE) 17-2 (10-13) Mid-division, took keen hold, chased leaders 3 out, stayed on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Tribe (11-8) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Now Listen To Me 4-1fav (11-9) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, not fluent 3 out, hard ridden next, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Master Somerville (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Orion Star (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Towards rear, ridden, outpaced 12th, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on well flat, 6th of 12, 12l behind Pure Magic (10-13) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Jul.
The Ferbane Man (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway and effort when mistake 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, 2nd of 4, 3l behind Fabalu (11-4) at Chepstow 3m 2f nov chs (3) hvy.
