FAKENHAM (21 Oct 2005)

Good

4:20 Trafalgar Weekend Novices' Hurdle (Class D) (4yo+)

[off 4:20] £4,810.00, £1,480.00, £740.00, £370.00 11 hdles 2m4f

Comments In Running OR TS RPR

1 Cruzspiel J R Fanshawe 5 11-4 A P McCoy 4/7F 31 120+

2 11 Wee Robbie N J Gifford 5 10-12 L Aspell 5/2 14 102+

3 21 Be Telling (IRE) B J Curley 6 10-12 P Moloney 33/1 — 69

4 nk Loup Bleu (USA) Mrs A V Roberts 7 10-12 J Mogford 50/1 — 69

5 dist Busy Man (IRE) J R Jenkins 6 10-5 R Lucey-Butler(7) 100/1 — —

PU Thedublinpublican (IRE) C C Bealby 5 11-4 N Fehily 15/2 — —

PU Cash Return Mrs S Lamyman 6 10-2 tp L Vickers(3) 66/1 80 — —

7 ran TIME 5m 12.60s (slow by 26.60s) TOTAL SP 111%

NON RUNNERS: Ballyfitz ,Festive Chimes (IRE)

1st OWNER: P Garvey BRED: Old Mill Stud TRAINER: J R Fanshawe

2nd OWNER: P H Betts (holdings) Ltd

3rd OWNER: P Byrne

TOTE WIN £1.70 PL £1.10, £1.70; Ex £2.40; CSF £2.19

ANALYSIS: This only concerned the potentially classy CRUZSPIEL and Wee Robbie before the final mile and, as both were eased right down from the last, the rest are flattered by the official margin between the leaders and them. While his usual visor was left off, connections preferred to blame the sharp track for Cruzspiel not being overly impressive, coming on and off the bridle through the race as he laid down the law through the race. He had become disappointing on the Flat after his fine Queen Alexandra winfrom last week's Jockey Club Cup hero Cover Up with Grade 1 Aintree hurdle winner Al Eile back in third. He remains an exciting recruit to jumping but remains novicey and it will be interesting to see which way he goes over the winter. He has a sales date to boot, but, with winning jockey reporting a flat galloping track likely to see him in better light, he could take high rank in the novice ranks if progressing.

Wee Robbie, who dwarfs Cruzspiel, has the same excuses on this hurdling debut, having contested the champion bumper at Aintree, but he showed a professional attitude in being the only one able to go with the winner as the ante was upped. His hurdling was novicey and untidy under pressure and he can only improve from this promising debut. He was only five lengths down when getting leg weary after jumping two out.

The rest were simply outclassed but there was plenty to like about point-to-point winner Be Telling, who is a strong, good-looking individual. He showed his hurdlingdebut effort over two miles to be all wrong and can win over hurdles.