held up towards rear, headway from 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on well from last, led near finish
tracked leader, ridden after 2 out, weakened run-in
led, jumped right 6th and 8th, ridden before last, weakened and headed near finish, lost 2nd place close home
tracked leaders and keen, lost place before 3 out
held up in rear, headway before 3 out, in 3rd and weakening when blundered last
held up towards rear, effort before 3 out, never dangerous
mid-division in 4th, went 3rd after 5 out, headway before 2 out, stayed on well from last, went 2nd close home
Alberobello went close at Exeter and Taunton at the end of last year and is unlikely to be far away in this. Awbeg Massini is also interesting as he won over 3m on heavy ground between the flags so should appreciate the step up in distance after a couple of fair runs over 2m4f at Aintree and Fontwell. But we'll take a chance on the fitness of NUTIN FANCY, whose runs behind Knock A Hand and Ambion Wood here in 2011 worked out really well. He's another sure to relish 3m this season and his stable is going well. Amifunnyyet was progressive in bumpers but this looks a tough start to his hurdling career.
Alberobello (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd before next, chased winner last, switched right flat, stayed on under pressure close home, just held, 2nd of 13, nk behind Buck's Bond (10-9) at Taunton 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Amifunnyyet 11-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, led over 6f out, ridden and hung left over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 15, nk behind Wadswick Court (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
Awbeg Massini (IRE) 5-4fav (10-9) Tracked leader, led after 6th, headed 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Dawn Twister (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Ballymurry (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear on outside, not fluent 3rd, ridden 7th, behind next, tailed off, 11th of 18, 45l behind Superior Quality (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Bertie Boru (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon under pressure and no impression, 5th of 10, 16l behind Jazz Man (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gd in Jun.
Lucky Sun 40-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, effort approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Whisper (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Nutin Fancy (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, lost place 5th, headway before 4 out, chased winner approaching last, no impression, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Ambion Wood (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Dec '11.
