slowly into stride, behind, headway over 3f out, hung left 2f out, not run on
led, headed over 5f out, weakened over 4f out, tailed off
slightly hampered leaving stalls, soon in touch, led over 5f out, clear 3f out, hung left from over 1f out, stayed on
mid-division, weakened 7f out, tailed off
ridden soon after start, soon chasing leader, ridden 4f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, never going well, always behind, tailed off
always prominent, chased winner over 3f out, hung left over 1f out, no impression
in rear, headway under pressure over 3f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
A full accompaniment for our finale and FONGOLI could be worth a look at these terms with Dontpaytheferryman and Oniz Tiptoes the alternatives. This race seems to have become a magnet for the National Hunt trainers and as such, this makes life difficult for the punters and the handicapper alike. Brendan Powell's charge gets in off a mark of 50 having been assessed on the basis of her form as a juvenile. She has since tried her hand at hurdling where she has got her head infront twice and has competed albeit unsuccessfully at listed level. The market is closely watched. Dontpaytheferryman has done well for new connections. He has solid claims in a weak race though seems to need absolutely everything to fall his way. Oniz Tiptoes is used to staying up to three miles over hurdles. He has run his best races on the flat when a visor has been tried in the past. Home is probably better over slightly shorter and while progressive over hurdles, his flat form has not followed that upward curve. Stravita and Black Falcon are previous course and distance winners so both must be respected. Satindra won a handicap chase at Fontwell at the back end of last year while the remainder look incredibly hard to make cases for. Fongoli could have been let in lightly and we select her accordingly.
Black Falcon (IRE) 100-1 (8-6) Raced wide, in rear, never near leaders, 7th of 11, 23l behind Shadows Lengthen (9-1) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (0-65) (6) fbs in Dec.
Heroic Lad 100-1 (8-5) Prominent 4f, 11th of 13, 39l behind Royal Island (9-5) at Chepstow 1m sell stks (6) sft in Aug '08.
Dontpaytheferryman (USA) 9-2fav (8-11) Raced wide, in touch, headway and 4th 3f out, outpaced final 2f, 6th of 14, 5l behind Little Sark (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Oct.
Firsaan (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) In rear, weakened halfway, behind final 4f, 8th of 11, well behind Time Book (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f mdn stks (5) fbs in Nov.
Fongoli 11-1 (8-10) Dwelt, pushed along to track leaders, led after 2f, ridden, headed 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, well behind Winterbrook King (8-4) at Nottingham 2m 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) hvy in Jul.
Satindra (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 10, 3l behind Tusculum (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f stks (7) pol in Feb.
Gouranga 100-1 (8-2) Soon behind, 7th of 9, well behind Amron Hill (8-6) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (5) fbs in Dec '08.
Cragganmore Creek 22-1 (9-11) Tracked leader 3f, remained close up, led over 5f out, ridden, headed 3f out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 36l behind Court Princess (10-13) at Lingfield 2m Amateur Handicap (0-60) (3yo+) (6) pol in Dec.
Hassadin 28-1 (7-13) Held up in last trio, moderate headway when hung left over 1f out, 4th of 8, 13l behind Sounds Of Jupiter (9-2) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) fm in Aug.
Home 13-2 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Russian Music (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Stravita 6-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 14, 27l behind Sunny Spells (9-4) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Oniz Tiptoes (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out , one pace, 6th of 14, 5l behind Harcas (9-8) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Aug.
Ashmolian (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Led 10f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on until weakened quickly over 1f out, 8th of 9, 13l behind Prince Charlemagne (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Just Beware 66-1 (8-8) Always in rear, lost touch final 4f, tailed off, last of 13, well behind Mustang Ali (9-2) at Folkestone 2m hcp (6) gf in Jul '06.
