held up towards rear, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, held when left 3rd 2 out
mid-division, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden, headway after 3 out, left 4th 2 out, stayed on, never troubled leaders
held up towards rear, ridden, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders
tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, very easily
tracked leader, led after 4th, ridden, headed approaching 2 out, not pace of winner
chased leader, ridden after 5th, weakening when hit 3 out
led, went right 2nd, headed after 4th, weakened after next, pulled up after 3 out
in touch until weakened 6th, tailed off
mid-division, headway after 4th, weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden in 3rd, held when fell 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway after 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
Division two of the maiden hurdle and it appears the weaker of the two. Talenti is given the nod over Bold Policy and Stellino. A former Ballydoyle inmate, Talenti has been set some stiff tasks by his trainer and unsurprisingly has not featured in those events, the most recent which was the Tolworth hurdle. However, his hurdling debut was most encouraging, finishing in mid division at Ascot when an unconsidered 66/1 shot. Issued with a rating of 120, that figure appears harsh on what he has displayed. Connections probably feel that also but it is significant they have returned to attempt to land a maiden. Market support for Talenti should prove a significant pointer to his chances. Bold Policy is not one of the leading lights at Ditcheat and never appeared as if he would land any of his novice hurdles that he contested. The form of those races is also suspect and he is likely to be more competitve in handicaps. Stellino hails from a yard whose novices have been hitting the target recently. Once again the market should be monitored as connections will no doubt be aware what they have on their hands in relation to Stellino's stable companions. Go But Go is a recruit from Eoghan O'Neill's yard. He achieved a rating in the 70s during the summer of 2007. He is likely to appreciate this trip but is probably best watched today. Talenti is our selection to land this.
Bold Policy (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Keen, tracked leading pair, ridden before 3 out, hampered 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Crofters Lad (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan.
Danger Zone 5-1 (9-11) Held up mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, every chance, not quicken and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 9l behind Ollie George (8-12) at Newbury 1m 3f app hcp (5) gd in Jul '06 (Flat).
First Friend (IRE) 50-1 (9-11) In touch, led 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon beaten, 14th of 16, 15l behind Zelos (10-5) at Nottingham 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (6) gf in Oct (Flat).
Noble Future 33-1 (11-4) Blundered 1st, not fluent 2nd, behind from 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 15, well behind Souriceau (10-7) at Folkestone 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
Pacha D'Oudairies (FR) 7-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway after 3 out, stayed on same pace, 6th of 14, 6l behind Dip Anchor (11-1) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Stellino (GER) (9-0) Made all, ran on well from over 1f out, driven out, won at Frankfurt 1m 2f hcp gd in Sept beating Don Carinio (9-2) by 3l, 8 ran (Flat).
Talenti (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Held up, ridden 3 out, no impression, 6th of 10, 30l behind Breedsbreeze (11-7) at Sandown 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Jan.
Colorado Storm 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Beshabar (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan, 15 ran.
Nenette du Bois (FR) (8-11) 9th of 10 behind Hades Quercus (9-2) at La Roche 1m 4f stk gd in Jul '06 (Flat).
Seemarye 40-1 (10-7) Always in rear, mistake 3rd, pulled up approaching last pulled up in race won by Hendre Hotshot (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gf in Apr, 14 ran.
Twice Charmed 20-1 (10-9) Chased leaders until weakened over 3f out, 7th of 15, 27l behind Voice of Reason (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Go But Go 33-1 (8-11) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 14th of 15, 38l behind Market Forces (9-12) at York 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct (Flat).
Jafaru 14-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression, 4th of 9, 15l behind Laredo Sound (11-4) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Jan.
Atomic Winner (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Towards rear, brief effort after 6th, no impression, 9th of 14, well behind Hibiki (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
