mid-division, close up 3 out, one pace next, weakened flat
held up, mistake 4th, outpaced after 3 out, well held next
held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, lost place after 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, mistake 3rd, not fluent and struggling 7th, well beaten when mistake 3 out, mistake 2 out
held up, closed on bit after 3 out, challenged 2 out, led and dived at last, edged right towards finish, ridden out
tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd or 3 out, not quicken before 2 out, kept on flat, no impression on front pair
tracked leader, led 4th, headed after 5th, led next, joined 2 out, headed last, stayed on, switched left when held towards finish
led until 4th, led after 5th, headed next, ridden before 2 out, no extra last
Here's Herbie looked to be cantering all over eventual winner Yaltari when coming down at Exeter on New Year’s Day and is on a fair mark at present. However, he was beaten 16 lengths behind the four-year-old Padleyourowncanoe here previously, though is n ow 11lb better off. Colin Tizzard’s charge is two from two in handicaps but this is his toughest task to date. Dan Skelton’s pair, Bandsman and Blairs Cove, can’t be ignored but Holdbacktheriver will need to improve on his form in novice company and Rejaah might need this. FIDUX has a touch of class and 7lb claimer Kevin Dowling gave him a good ride in a Listed race at Sandown last month. Softer going and a pound rise is not ideal but he’s got a good opportunity to open his seasonal account.
Fidux (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway 4 out, chasing leaders when not fluent 2 out, stayed on well closing stages, 4th of 11, 4 3/4l behind A Hare Breath (11-11) at Sandown 2m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec.
Rejaah 6-1 (10-3) Led, hit 11th, reduced lead next, ridden and headed 3 out, no chance with winner, held on for 2nd, 2nd of 6, 16l behind Flying Angel (11-2) at Perth 2m 4f (3) sft in Sep.
Blairs Cove 7-2 (11-10) Held up in touch, tracked leaders after 4 out, went 3rd before next, ridden and outpaced by front pair before last, no impression after, 3rd of 6, 7 3/4l behind Oski (10-12) at Doncaster 3m (4) gd in Dec.
Bandsman 7-2 (11-11) Held up in rear, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, kept on under pressure from last, no chance with leaders, last of 5, 17 1/2l behind Attest (11-5) at Taunton 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Canelie (FR) 7-2 (10-7) Mid-division, 5th after 6th, pushed along after 4 out, soon ridden and weakened to detached rear, pulled up before 3 out, at Cork 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Here's Herbie 7-4 (11-1) Tracked leaders, slight lead going strongly when fell 2 out (normal 3 out), at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Padleyourowncanoe 13-2 (10-1) Chased leaders, led after 3 out, ridden clear last, ran on strongly, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Molineaux (11-9) by 8l, 13 ran.
Holdbacktheriver (IRE) 6-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, every 2 out, kept on and well held before last, 2nd of 6, 13l behind Fairmount (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m (4) hvy in Dec.
