led, not fluent 3 out, headed before next, rallied last, no extra closing stages
tracked leader, pushed along 7th, struggling in 3rd 4 out, weakened after next
tracked leader, led before 2 out, driven clear after last, readily
chased leaders, lost touch after 2nd, soon 15 lengths behind, tailed off from 6th
Highway One O One was a useful hurdler and made a winning start over fences at Newton Abbot last month, though that race was effectively a match and the runner-up has not advertised the form. DYNAMITE DOLLARS looked a smart recruit to hurdling around this time last year but was struggling to last home over longer trips in the second half of the season. This is a more suitable test and, as he clearly comes to hand early, Paul Nicholls’ five-year-old may be the one to be on. Dr Des won three times over hurdles last season and was also second in a Grade 2. But he ran six times in point-to-points in Ireland failed to win so the switch to fences might not bring about much improvement.
Highway One O One (IRE) 8-11fav (11-2) Jumped right, made all, not fluent 4 out, hard pressed 2 out, soon ridden, drew readily clear flat, won at Newton Abbot 2m (3) gs in Sep beating Flying Tiger (11-2) by 6l, 4 ran.
Dr Des (IRE) 4-5fav (11-13) Led, headed before 3rd, niggled along briefly, not fluent 4 out, led again after 3 out, going clear and edging left when mistake last, stayed on, won at Towcester 2m 3f (4) hvy in Mar beating Piton Pete (11-13) by 18l, 3 ran.
Dynamite Dollars (FR) 7-2 (11-13) Tracked leaders, challenged after 4 out, led before next, headed approaching last, 4th and one pace flat, 4th of 12, 6l behind Canelo (11-3) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb.
Early Boy (FR) 33-1 (10-0) Chased leader, not fluent 3rd, lost 2nd after next, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 7, 25 1/4l behind Cold Shoulder (12-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
