held up in 4th, effort, close up when mistake 10th, outpaced, beaten before next
tracked leaders, chased winner 4 out, travelling well after next, closed from 2 out, upsides and going best when hit last, strong challenge flat, just failed
mostly chased winner until 4 out, weakened soon after, mistake 2 out, tailed off
made virtually all, driven along after 3 out, joined and hit last, driven, held on gamely flat
The Hardy Boy doesn't do a stroke when he hits the front, but if delivered late he can take this contest, at the main expense of Running Hot. The selection looked all over the winner last time out over course and distance, however he idled when hitting the front and was caught late on. Liam Heard knows the horse well and he must take all the beating if Heard can play a tense, but potentially worthwhile, waiting game. Daryl Jacob is another young jock who is highly rated by many and he takes the ride again on Running Hot. He was just touched off by the selection on his penultimate start but has a 6lb pull in the weights today and must go close if putting it all in. Signature Tune disappointed last time out and will need to forget that run, whilst Danse Macabre completes the small field. His jumping has been adequate so far in three runs over fences, however he has been well-beaten on all occasions and would need to improve to trouble the judge today. Ultimately this looks a two horse race, and we will confidently return to The Hardy Boy to land the spoils.
Danse Macabre (IRE) 28-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 6th, no extra before last, 3rd of 8, 28l behind Quirino (11-0) at Towcester 2m 3f beg chs (4) hvy in Jan.
The Hardy Boy 7-4fav (10-10) Tracked leaders, got through on inside to lead 7th, hard ridden flat, headed just inside final furlong, unable to quicken, 2nd of 5, 2l behind You Do The Math (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb.
Signature Tune (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Soon pushed along in rear, tailed off when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Superrollercoaster (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Feb, 7 ran.
Running Hot 7-2 (10-2) Blundered 1st, led and raced freely, headed 7th, weakened early flat, 4th of 5, 26l behind You Do The Math (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb.
