chased leader until after 2 out, soon weakened
held up in last, mistake 6th, hit 10th, driven after 12th, well beaten from next, pulled up before 4 out
led, not fluent 5 out, rider dropped whip after 2 out, mistake and headed last, no extra flat
chased leaders, jumped right 5th, ridden 4 out, challenged last, every chance when switched right to get round elbow flat, held towards finish
chased leaders, switched right before 4th, pecked slightly 5 out, switched right before 3 out, led last, edged slightly left and pressed flat, stayed on, holding 2nd towards finish
The jury is out on Mont Des Avaloirs but FUJI FLIGHT finally came good over a longer trip at Hereford and deserves a crack at this higher grade. Major Dundee was in good form at the end of last year and Striking A Pose appeared to handle the step up to 3m at Exeter while Soldier Of Destiny wasn’t stopping when scoring over 2m3f at Ffos Las and is suited by soft ground.
Striking A Pose (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Chased leader, slow 2nd, led before 5 out, ridden and headed flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind De Young Warrior (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Mont Des Avaloirs (FR) 6-1 (11-4) In touch, took closer order 9th, dropped to rear after 12th, soon weakened, 5th of 6, dist behind Killer Clown (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Soldier Of Destiny (IRE) 5-2fav (11-13) Mostly jumped well, kept out wide most of way, tracked leader, led 5th until mistake and headed 11th, chased leader, in front again 4 out, clear between last two, stayed on strongly, won at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Longshanks (11-4) by 8l, 7 ran.
Major Dundee (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Prominent, ridden and every chance 2 out (usual 2 out, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish (last omitted), won at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Tanarpino (11-10) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Fuji Flight (FR) 2-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, jumped left at times, led 4th, pressed and ridden before 3 out, drew clear before 2 out, hit last, eased run-in, comfortably, won at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Southern Sam (12-0) by 16l, 5 ran.
