tracked leaders, challenged last, shaken up to lead flat, comfortably
tracked leader, led 3 out, jumped left last, headed flat, no chance with winner
held up, tracked leaders approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
always prominent, one pace from 2 out
held up, weakened approaching 3 out
held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, outpaced 4 out
held up, not fluent 3rd, lost place 4 out
AATHER may be able to strike in the opener and the presence of the likes of Terrasini, Forget It and Higgy's Boy in the line up may help to ensure that he's a decent price. Alan Fleming has leading JCB Triumph Hurdle fancy Starluck in his yard and this Key Of Luck gelding holds an entry for the same race. His sire is not the only thing he has in common with his stablemate as he also raced with Kevin Prendergast on the level. He wasn't in the same class but still showed enough to think that he can make up into a useful hurdler and he should be supported if the market gives out the right vibes. Higgy's Boy was firmly put in his place at Cheltenham but should be competitive in this company despite his penalty. Terrasini won well enough at Huntingdon but the form is modest at best and Forget It appeals as a bigger danger following his encouraging debut behind Amore Mio at Sandown. Always Bold and Criterion were far better than Forget It on the level and must be taken seriously whilst Gofannon may be able to leave his debut form behind. An intriguing affair in which the market should prove to be a useful aid; Aather is our suggestion.
Higgy's Boy (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up, not fluent 4th and next, effort approaching 2 out, weakened before last, eased, 6th of 7, well behind Walkon (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Terrasini (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, mistake 1st, led approaching 2 out, ridden flat, ran on well, won at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Karky Schultz (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Aather (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Never a factor, 12th of 13, 11l behind Young Jemmy (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 3yo hcp 0-90 pol in Aug (Flat).
Always Bold (IRE) 66-1 (8-1) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 13th of 32, 14l behind Caracciola (9-6) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcap (2) gd in Oct (Flat).
Bespoke Boy 8-1 (10-0) Raced keen, led 1st, headed approaching 3 out, ridden and gradually weakened, 7th of 13, 23l behind Woody Waller (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Criterion 8-1 (9-7) Took keen hold early, tracked clear leader, ridden and lost place over 4f out, no danger after, 6th of 9, 12l behind Right Option (9-1) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol (Flat).
Gofannon (GER) 18-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden to chase leaders between last 2, tired and mistake last, weakened run-in, 6th of 13, 19l behind Ronaldo Des Mottes (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Pick of The Day (IRE) 11-1 (8-5) Held up behind leaders, ridden along and headway over 3f, no extra final 2f, 6th of 14, 18l behind Merrion Tiger (9-0) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan (Flat).
Treeko (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, effort after 4 out, ridden and soon beaten, 5th of 6, well behind Giorgio Quercus (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) gd.
Forget It 14-1 (10-12) Held up, chased leading pair from 3rd, ridden and close up last, one pace, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Amore Mio (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
