led, headed and weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened soon after
held up towards rear, headway 3 out to chase leaders, ridden and held when mistake last
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, one pace
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden and to chase leaders and hampered 2 out, left 2nd and one pace flat
tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, led 3 out, ridden and challenged when fell 2 out
held up and keen, headway to chase leaders 3 out, challenged leader and left in lead 2 out, ran on
always in rear, mistake 4 out, lost touch next and pulled up before 2 out
David Pipe is mob-handed in this poor race at his local track, and of his quartet it is Don Fernando that gets the vote over the likes of stablemate Don't Ask Me, Mirant and Papillon de Iena. Once again this is very low key fare, but on past performances it is hoped that Don Fernando can recapture some of his old form to gain an overdue success. Now aged seven, the son of Zilzal has taken on much, much better company in the past, and indeed ran in the Pertemps Final at this year's Cheltenham Festival. Last successful in a Plumpton novice chase in 2004, he has not had a great deal of racing over the past two years, and this drop to selling grade may spark a revival. Stablemate Don't Ask Me was retained for 13,000gns after absolutely bolting up in a Uttoxeter seller four months ago but has failed to impress since being upped in class, and will be more at home here, so can give the selection most to do. Mirant needs a confidence booster and he should also make his presence felt at this level, while Papillon de Iena should at least be prominent under Tom Scudamore. The market should sort out which of the away team is fancied, but Pipe has a strong hand, with Don Fernando the pick.
Don't Ask Me (IRE) 7-1 (10-4) Always behind, 5th of 6, well behind Potts of Magic (10-2) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Jul.
Don Fernando 5-1 (11-4) Set good pace, led, blundered 4 out, headed next, weakened and mistake 2 out, 8th of 11, 29l behind Critical Stage (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 1f clm hdl (5) gf.
Mirant 33-1 (10-3) Held up rear, ridden 5th, some headway after 6th, blundered badly 2 out, weakened, 7th of 11, 26l behind Critical Stage (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 1f clm hdl (5) gf.
Noble Calling (FR) 6-1 (11-8) Mid-division, ridden approaching 5th, soon weakened, 9th of 13, well behind Desert Tommy (11-8) at Exeter 2m 6f amt hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
Papillon de Iena (FR) 5-2 (11-7) In rear, driven approaching 6th, no response, eased from 2 out, 9th of 11, well behind Seymour Weld (10-9) at Worcester 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gf.
Fire Ranger 11-4 (10-10) Held up, went 2nd at 7th, ridden to press winner approaching 2 out, every chance soon after last, kept on, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Yourman (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) frm in Oct.
Smart Tiger (GER) 11-1 (11-12) Behind, headway 5th, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, no impression approaching last, 6th of 14, 19l behind Charlie Tango (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Winged Lady (GER) 3-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 8th, led and mistake 3 out, jumped left 2 out and last, driven out, won at Ludlow 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gd in May '04 beating Kynance Cove (10-2) by 5l, 7 ran.
