WORCESTER (17 Aug 2005)

Good To Firm

1:40 Worcester Festival Novices' Hurdle (Class E) (4yo+)

[off 1:40] £3,373.50, £1,038.00, £519.00, £259.50 10 hdles 2 omitted 3m

Comments In Running OR TS RPR

1 Moscow Blue Evan Williams 4 10-9 t P Moloney 33/1 — —

2 6 Ballynattin Buck (IRE) M Sheppard 9 10-12 t D R Dennis 12/1 104 — —

3 7 Weston Rock T D Walford 6 11-3 Mr M Walford(7) 11/8F 111 — —

4 ¾ Charango Star W K Goldsworthy 7 11-4 R Johnson 7/4 108 — —

5 dist That´s For Sure Evan Williams 5 10-12 Christian Williams 8/1 — —

6 18 Grande Cascade Mrs Lucinda Featherstone 4 9-11 M Nicolls(5) 125/1 — —

PU Morgan Be Mrs L Williamson 5 10-7 D Laverty(5) 100/1 — —

F Countess Kiri P Bowen 7 10-5 p J E Moore 16/1 — —

PU Amyroseisuppose C P Morlock 6 10-5 T Doyle 80/1 — —

9 ran TIME 5m 37.20s (fast by 3.80s) TOTAL SP 109%

NON RUNNER: Francolino (FR)

1st OWNER: George Houghton BRED: Juddmonte Farms TRAINER: Evan Williams

2nd OWNER: M E & A D I Harris

3rd OWNER: Mrs H Spath

TOTE WIN £41.30 PL £6.30, £2.90, £1.10; Ex £214.00; CSF £328.54

The first flight in the home straight was omitted on each circuit.

ANALYSIS: An ordinary novice hurdle, with the penalised runners found wanting.

MOSCOW BLUE, who failed to win on the Flat for John Gosden and latterly Howard Johnson, appeared the stable's second string on this hurdling debut. He was less than fluent in rear through the first part of the race, but steadily worked his way into the picture and ran out a ready winner in the end. The tongue tie and crossed noseband benefited him but it remains to be seen if they work next time.

Ballynattin Buck, who won a Listed handicap chase for Arthur Moore at Wexford in November, was making his debut for this yard. Racing rather keenly and in front before halfway on this return to hurdles, he was reeled in between the last two flights and finished sore. He could be interesting back over fences.

Weston Rock, who was kept a little wide of his rivals, was anchored by his double penalty. He seems more effective at slightly shorter.

Course-and-distance winner Charango Star was in trouble with five to jump, but this thorough stayer did keep on for pressure.