with leader, ridden and every chance 2 out, stayed on flat
mistakes, held up, ridden 5th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
not fluent, held up, reminder 4th, effort after 3 out, weakened approaching last
in touch, ridden to go 3rd 2 out, one-paced flat
A few former Flat runners are given the chance to shine in the winter game here, but Fortunate Dave gets the TEAMtalk vote. This Ian Williams-trained three-year-old enjoyed some decent Flat form this year before winning his hurdling debut in good style at Warwick on 4 November, beating Cheltenham hurdles winner Almnadia. He went on to finish seventh at the Cheltenham Open Meeting after being hampered by a faller late on in the race when he was going well. He is the class of the field. The Last Cast has been developing well over hurdles, transferring his decent Flat form to jumps. He was third last time out on soft ground at Sandown, and he carries 7lb less weight than our selection. Forzacurity was sixth on his hurdling debut at Hereford in October; he has been kept going on the Flat and earns an each-way chance due to his race fitness. Neither Bahamian Sun, Bodfari Rose or Jewel Of India have raced over hurdles before, but Philip Hobbs trains the latter and he could be a danger if he has taken well to his new game.
