tracked leader, led 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on well
took keen hold, prominent, mistake 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, mistake last
held up, headway 3 out, challenged approaching 2 out, every chance flat, held and eased final strides
held up in touch, not fluent 3rd, mistake 5th, weakening when mistake 2 out
led until 6th, weakened after 3 out, mistake 2 out
chased until weakened after 3 out
took keen hold, mid-division, headway approaching 6th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
held up, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
Fier Normand gets the confident vote to send favourite backers home happy with Forty Acers and High Altitude rating the main dangers. The selection run well on his only run to date when beating Kings Advocate. He is sure to have been well schooled for this his hurdling debut and under conditions that suit he need only put in a clear round to score. Forty Acers rates the main danger as he is also unbeaten to Date and won well last time when beating M,agical Legend but the second has since let the form down and for that reason he is opposed. High Altitude is another that could go well but he has given the impression he would be suited by a longer trip in the past and he looks opposable on that basis. Of the remainder College Ace is from a yard in top form and is worth noting in the market but the suspicion is he will come on for this his first run and for the winner we return to Fier Normand.
College Ace (IRE) Taipan gelding, half-brother to 7f winner Docklands Dispatch.
Delightful Cliche 13-2 (11-0) Prominent, chased winner over 4f out until over 2f out, 4th and no impression when switched right inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 8l behind Scotts Court (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (H) gd in May.
Fier Normand (FR) 5-2 (11-9) Mid-division, went 2nd travelling well over 4f out, challenged and led approaching straight, ridden clear final furlong, stayed on well, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f nhf sft in Dec beating Kings Advocate (11-6) by 4 1/2l, 14 ran.
Fourty Acers (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Held up, headway halfway, led on the bit 3f out, soon clear, won at Stratford 2m nhf (H) gd in Sept beating Magical Legend (10-4) by 13l, 12 ran.
Granite Man (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Always behind, 8th of 11, well behind Jeremy Cuddle Duck (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gs.
High Altitude (IRE) 5-2fav (10-8) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden and effort after 3 out, one pace, 4th of 15, 11l behind Gold Ring (11-2) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (E) gs in Mar.
Talikos (FR) 16-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 12th of 15, 39l behind The Cool Guy (10-11) at Wincanton 2m nhf (H) gd in Mar.
Kokopelli Mana (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by United Spirit (11-3) at Hexham 2m mrs nov hdl (E) gf, 12 ran.
