held up, headway after 3 out, led 2 out, ridden out
mid-division, ridden 6th soon weakened
led until 4th, remained prominent, weakened after 3 out
held up, never on terms
in touch, chased leaders after 3 out, every chance next, kept on same pace
pulled hard in mid-division, ridden 6th, soon behind
held up, headway before 5th, chased leaders next, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, effort 6th, weakened after next
behind, headway 3 out, chased winner approaching last, kept on
prominent, led and hit 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened when not fluent last
The well-bred Blue Train is preferred to Robinzal and Persian Native. Gay Smith's gelding was purchased for 500 000 guineas as a youngster so it is fair to say that connections did not have Fakenham on their mind when they signed the docket. These colours have been carried in the past by Black Jack Ketchum and while Blue Train ran well for a long way on his hurdling debut - his challenge went off the rails as tiredness crept in. The likely front-runner could well things much more to his advantage around this circuit. Robinzal makes a hurdling debut. A winner over a mile on the level for Tim Easterby - he hails from a yard that can have them ready first time out. Persian Native shaped quite well on hurdling debut at Perth. A much more stoutly bred type - she should be staying on when others have cried enough. Cherished Number was a once-useful handicapper for Ian Semple. Having lost his way on the level, the sink-or-swim route of hurdling has been tried in an effort to reinvigorate his passion for the game. Mid Sussex Spirit is watched in the market incase there is any support. Power Glory sets the barometer for this race off a mark of 86 but it would be difficult to see that rating being good enough here. Blue Train has a bit to prove but with McCoy aboard he is likely to be plenty short enough in the market as a consequence.
Cherished Number 16-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, ridden on outside 2f out, no impression, 12th of 16, 5l behind Wild Pitch (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol (Flat).
Mid Sussex Spirit 20-1 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 6th, ridden after 7th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 18, 32l behind Surface To Air (10-4) at Huntingdon 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Persian Native (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, effort 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Lethem Air (11-0) at Perth 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Supershot (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up in main group, headway 6th, led passing 3 out, hit 2 out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Silvo (10-12) at Fakenham 2m sll hdl (5) gf.
Blue Train (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Chased leader, led on bit after 3 out, ridden and headed soon after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 13, 19l behind Ameeq (10-8) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Robinzal 20-1 (8-9) Held up behind leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp (5) sft in Oct beating Art Elegant (8-7) by 2l, 17 ran (Flat).
Queen Tara 66-1 (8-12) Prominent, led over 6f out to over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, last of 13, 13l behind Revolve (8-12) at Kempton 1m 2f banded stk (7) pol (Flat).
Pick of The Crop 12-1 (11-11) Took keen hold in rear, hit 4th, mistake 6th, lost touch after next pulled up 3 out in race won by Le Forezien (11-2) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (5) gd in Mar, 10 ran.
