Stick with Foxtail Hill when he encounters better ground

Hadfield
Third, 2m4f handicap hurdle, Worcester, Tuesday, November 14
Hadfield didn’t make much of a shape over these portable hurdles, so he did remarkably well to finish third.

Racing in rear, the gelding lacked fluency throughout and received several reminders, but he made headway on the outside before three out and even pressed for second on the flat.

While he made no impression on the winner, he would have finished much closer with a better round of jumping.

Unplaced in a Flat maiden last month on his first start since April, the son of Sea The Stars won over hurdles off this mark two years ago and I’d be very interested in him back over conventional hurdles.

Chosen Path
Unseated rider, 2m5f novice hurdle, Exeter, Wednesday, November 15
Chosen Path was going well when hampered and unseating his rider at the sixth.

Alan King’s unexposed four-year-old cost 60,000gns after finishing third in an Irish point and had bolted up in a novice hurdle at Fontwell.

This was a step up from 2m3f and the ground was softer, but the gelding was handling the conditions fine under the penalty and remains exciting.

Haul Away
Second, 2m5f introductory hurdle, Ludlow, Thursday, November 16
This step up in trip was expected to suit Haul Away on his hurdling debut and his performance suggested he may offer more again when faced with an even greater stamina test.

Held up, the stoutly bred son of Stowaway jumped left at the sixth but made headway before lacking fluency at the eighth. Soon pushed along, he gradually crept into the race and, although again lacking fluency three out, he stayed on well and wasn’t beaten far, with a gap to the third.

This was a good effort from Nicky Henderson’s hooded four-year-old, who could prove a bargain at €40,000.