tracked leader until before 5th and again from 7th, challenged 2 out, soon led, clear last, easily
led until not fluent 5th, jumped right next, ridden after 3 out, 3rd and beaten from 2 out, no extra
held up, pushed along before 5th, outpaced from 7th, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, pulled hard, led 5th, joined when pecked 2 out, soon headed, no impression on winner before last, stayed on same pace
chased leaders, outpaced from 7th, weakened 3 out
Successful point-to-pointer and bumper HANNIBAL THE GREAT won as he liked on his hurdling debut at Fontwell and probably would have followed-up at Huntingdon where he was travelling strongly when falling. Compensation awaits here. Fiddlers Bid has some strong form against decent opposition and though he didn't take to fences last time he has to be respected on his return to hurdling. Little Jon hasn't had much experience but is the type to do better now stepped up in trip and looks better than the remaining pair.
Hannibal The Great (IRE) 4-7fav (11-5) Chased leaders, led approaching when fell 3 out, in a race won by Chase The Spud (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Fiddlers Bid 5-1 (11-0) Led 1st, blundered and almost unseated rider next, headed 5th, mostly chased leader until 15th, weakened next, no chance when blundered 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before next, in a race won by Kris Cross (10-3) at Ascot 3m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Hurricane Ivan (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden after 7th, every chance 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Mountain Tunes (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Little Jon 5-1 (11-0) Pulled hard early, held up, headway to track leaders halfway, went 3rd 6f out, ridden and one pace final 2f, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Capilla (10-11) at Ffos Las 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Oct.
Thurnham 80-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, tailed off 4 out, last of 16, 44l behind Moss Cloud (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
