tracked leader, going well, led on home turn, soon clear, easily
led, ridden after 2 out, headed on home turn, one pace
chased leader until 2nd, struggling from next, well behind 4th, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, closed 3rd, outpaced by front pair from 5th, plugged on
in rear, wandered into 1st, mistake next, well behind 4th
not always fluent, in rear, well behind 4th, went remote 4th after 2 out
held up, went modest 4th before 3rd, behind from 5th, lost 4th after 2 out
Nonrunner
There seems no reason why the more-exposed Excellent Team should reverse Newton Abbot running with TAPER TANTRUM (NAP) on identical terms. Dan Skelton's charge finally got off at the mark in a handicap at Fontwell subsequently but doesn't appear to have the pace of his market rival. The Outlaw has only won one of his eight starts over hurdles and that was a seller so he has something to find, though makes more appeal than his stable's three other runners. Flat winner Goodwood Moonlight was tailed off on his hurdles debut while Tobacco Road hasn't raced since October last year.
Taper Tantrum (IRE) 5-2 (11-1) Chased leader, led 2 out, went left last, kept on well run-in, ridden out, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn (4) gd in Aug beating Excellent Team (11-1) by 1l, 12 ran.
The Outlaw (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Tracked winner, not fluent 4th, mistake 2 out, soon driven, unable to challenge, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Bleu Et Noir (11-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (4) gf in Aug.
Catch Another (IRE) Kutub gelding out of Lady Dane.
Dothraki Raider 15-2 (11-3) In rear, headway over 4f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 14 1/2l behind Coup De Pinceau (10-12) at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in Apr.
Furiously Fast (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, not much room 1st, went 2nd briefly after 3 out, weakened flat, 5th of 12, 14l behind Astrum (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (5) gd in Apr.
Goodwood Moonlight 17-2 (9-5) In touch, headway 3f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 8l behind Exclusive Diamond (9-7) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp (6) gf in Aug.
Samson 25-1 (10-12) In rear, slow 3rd, ridden and behind when mistake 3 out, 9th of 10, dist behind Birch Hill (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn (5) gd in Jul.
Star Trouper (IRE) 8-11fav (11-4) Took keen hold, led, jumped right at times, shaken up and headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 31 1/2l behind No Win No Fee (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) gd in May.
Tobacco Road (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost place before 2 out, 6th of 13, 29 1/2l behind Arctic Gold (11-0) at Stratford 2m mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Excellent Team 11-10fav (11-1) Took keen hold, tracked leaders on inside, challenged 2 out, led before last, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) gf in Aug beating Itsnowcato (11-5) by 1l, 7 ran.
