held up in touch, headway travelling well to track leader 3 out, not much room on inside approaching 2 out, led soon after, drew readily clear on bit flat
hung right throughout, led until after 1st, in touch until blundered 4 out, soon tailed off
held up, hit 4 out, chasing leaders and ridden approaching 3 out, ridden and hit 2 out, weakened and no chance with first 2 approaching last
led after 1st until next, chased leaders until weakened after 4 out, tailed off
chased leader, led 2nd, wandered left 2 out, soon headed, ridden and weakened before last
chased leaders, went 2nd and hit 4 out, challenged from 2 out, upsides winner and every chance last, ridden and readily held flat
RIVERSIDE THEATRE impressed last time out at Kempton, and his earlier second to Copper Bleu is rock solid, so he is fancied to concede 13lb to potential improver Marc Aurele. The presence of Super Directa means that this is not a two-horse race by any means, but the top dog looks to be Riverside Theatre. Nicky Henderson has given his gelding a break since his last win, where he disposed of the fair yardstick Hector's Choice with little worry. Although a penalty makes life tougher, punters should not get Cold Feet over this horse owned by the Jimmy Nesbitt Partnership and another win is on the cards. Russian Epic was a fair horse on the flat for Michael Jarvis but he didn't always look the most straightforward and was well-held last time at Kempton on his hurdling bow, albeit in a good race. Super Directa looks a more likely danger, coming here on the back of a good second at Lingfield, although he did seem a bit one-paced. Astrodome is a potential improver; he didn't look too impressive last time at Fontwell but it is foolish to rule out further improvement form a Gary Moore horse. Marc Aurele gets plenty of weight. He was easy to back on his UK debut behind Master Of Arts but if the market speaks in his favour then expect much more improvement from this French recruit. Not the best Novices' hurdle to be seen at the track but Riverside Theatre can continue his Globe-al domination.
Riverside Theatre 10-11fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway after 5th, shaken up to lead 2 out, soon clear, comfortably, won at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Hector's Choice (11-11) by 4 1/2l, 16 ran.
Roscrea (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Held up last, ridden 3 out, no impression, 7th of 10, 47l behind Keki Buku (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Russian Epic 100-1 (11-2) Always in last pair, lost touch 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, 33l behind Trenchant (10-11) at Kempton 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Wandering Minstral 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 10, well behind Special Occasion (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Astrodome 11-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, driven out flat, always holding on towards finish, won at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (5) gs beating Ermine Sea (11-2) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Marc Aurele (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, well behind Master of Arts (10-7) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Barathea Blazer 8-1 (10-12) Keen, with leader, led approaching 3rd, headed approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Border Castle (10-12) at Haydock 2m nov hdl (D) sft in Dec '05, 19 ran.
Super Directa (GER) 5-2 (11-1) Chased leader, challenged 2 out, well held between last 2, hit last, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Enfant De Lune (11-8) at Lingfield 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
