with winner, effort and every chance when pecked 3 out, ridden and outpaced approaching next, weakened before last, lost moderate 4th flat
made most, driven clear approaching 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on well, eased flat
tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in touch, mistake 3rd, headway 3 out, chased winner and effort approaching next, soon ridden and one pace, no impression when lost 2nd last
raced keenly, tracked leaders on outside, ridden after 5th, soon lost place, weakened from 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders on inside, challenged 3 out, ridden and outpaced approaching next, stayed on to go 2nd when not fluent last, no chance with winner flat
held up in touch, ridden and outpaced after 5th, soon struggling, stayed on to go moderate 4th flat, never on terms
in rear, under pressure when mistake 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
held up in touch when blundered and unseated rider 4th
SHORT TAKES rewarded the decision to make the long trek to the west country for his hurdling debut with a solid success in what was only a modest affair but showed a professional attitude, jumped well and looks the logical choice in this follow-up attempt. Xenophon outpointed Copper Canyon at Stratford but that was the runner-up's hurdling debut. He's weighted to reverse placings now and rates the main threat. Cool Newport has the benefit of experience but the Irish invader needs to improve on her Market Rasen third last time, whilst Residence and Spa, fit from the Flat albeit descending the handicap, is of interest on this hurdling debut for the in-form Tim Easterby yard.
Short Takes (USA) 15-8fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led after 1st, headed 2nd, led before 2 out, clear before last, kept on strongly, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gf beating Melancholy Hill (10-5) by 12l, 7 ran.
Xenophon 20-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, led before 3 out, pressed 2 out, ridden out, won at Stratford 2m 3yo hdl (4) gd beating Copper Canyon (10-12) by 4l, 10 ran.
Arizona High 16-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, mistake 4th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 9, 28l behind Countrywide Flame (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo hdl (3) gs.
Cool Newport (IRE) 17-2 (10-11) Led, not fluent 3rd, hit 3 out, headed before next, 3rd and no extra when mistake last, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Countrywide Flame (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo hdl (3) gs.
Copper Canyon 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 5th, chased winner after 3 out, challenged 2 out, mistake last, held flat, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Xenophon (10-5) at Stratford 2m 3yo hdl (4) gd.
Kalkan Bay 33-1 (10-12) Held up, pushed along after 5th, went 5th after 3 out, never on terms, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 34l behind Countrywide Flame (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo hdl (3) gs.
Residence And Spa (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Pressed leader, ridden 2f out, soon lost place, no impression from over 1f out, 6th of 7, 14l behind One Pursuit (9-0) at Carlisle 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd (flat).
Don't Call Me Tiny (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Held up towards rear, some headway under pressure over 2f out, never involved, 7th of 12, 10l behind Mystic Edge (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf (flat).
Kissing Clara (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Took keen hold, led after 2nd, headed before 3 out, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 10, 46l behind Xenophon (10-5) at Stratford 2m 3yo hdl (4) gd.
