made all, clear halfway, unchallenged
held up and keen, struggling from 5th
held up, weakened halfway
tracked leaders, headway to chase winner approaching 3 out, no impression
tracked leaders to halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out
mid-division and keen, effort 4 out, weakened next
in touch until not fluent and weakened from 4th
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in rear, tailed off halfway, pulled up after 3 out
Astarador could hardly have won more easily than when making a winning hurdling debut at Wetherby last month and Howard Johnson's gelding is taken to follow up at the main expense of Namroud and Ferrando. The last mentioned showed only a modicum of ability on the level but his shrewd handler knows the type that can make the grade at the winter game and a market move for him would be of interest. Little Bob lost his way a little bit on the level but relishes cut in the ground and a few flights of hurdles may rejuvenate James Bethell's gelding. Ferdy Murphy's Crofton has a jumping pedigree and cannot be ruled out but may prove to be best watched on his racecourse debut, especially with the yard still struggling to find winners. Namroud showed signs of hurdling ability when third behind Spear Thistle at Leicester recently and has to be considered but Astarador has solid claims and is hard to oppose.
Astarador (FR) 8-11fav (11-0) With leader, led 2nd, blundered 4 out, ridden clear next, won at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Oct beating Osako D'airy (11-0) by 27l, 11 ran.
Alfonso 7-2 (9-4) Slowly into stride, mid-division, headway to chase leaders on outside over 5f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 10th of 12, 7l behind Marmooq (8-11) at W'hampton 7f clm (5) pol in Sept (Flat).
Crofton (IRE) Bob's Return gelding out of bumper winner Star Of The Orient.
Essifer (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Led, headed halfway, ridden 6f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 48l behind Powerberry (11-0) at Down Royal 2m nhf gs.
Ferrando 7-1 (8-13) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, one pace final 2f, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Aston Lad (8-9) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct (Flat).
Flemensbarr (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Always behind, 19th of 22, well behind Hotel Hilamar (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl sft.
Little Bob 16-1 (8-10) Prominent, led over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 16, 6l behind Cleaver (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) sft (Flat).
Namroud (USA) 33-1 (10-12) Keen, mid-division, steady headway approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, no extra flat, 3rd of 19, 12l behind Spear Thistle (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Ocarina (FR) Bulington gelding, half-brother to winning chaser Kampala.
The Custos Terimon gelding out of 7f winner Carribean Sound.
Tomintoul 80-1 (10-7) Led to halfway, chased winner until weakened over 6f out, 15th of 16, well behind Skippers Brig (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) hvy.
Monroes Relative (IRE) 250-1 (10-12) In rear when fell at the 2nd in race won by Smart Street (10-13) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (3) gs, 13 ran.
