tracked winner, challenged and every chance when not fluent 3 out, soon outpaced, 3 lengths down in 2nd and held when hit next, just held on for 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
tracked leading pair, hit 11th, lost place next, soon outpaced, no chance from 3 out, tailed off
soon led, made rest, joined when hit 3 out, quickened 3 lengths clear next, stayed on strongly to go well clear from last, comfortably
held up 4th and last, went 3rd 12th, outpaced 3 out, ridden next, stayed on under pressure flat, just failed for 2nd, no chance with winner
WOLF MOON looks the type to excel over fences and we fancy him to beat some better hurdlers. Martin Keighley's son of Presenting was well-held in the Liverpool Hurdle when last seen in April but he was in fine form in the southwest at this point last year. Rated 129 over hurdles, his trainer has high hopes that he can contest some of the best novice chases this year. Rebel Du Marquis takes part (one of several initially entered for the yard) and this 130-rated hurdler already has experience of fences from his time in France. Luckily for connections he wasn't able to win so still a novice he looks a fascinating contender. Frontier Dancer sauntered home on his chasing debut at Perth and is respected under his penalty; a 130-rated hurdler, and regular in the big handicaps last season, he should run well. Gee Dee Nen completes the field and although he didn't sparkle over fences in the summer, he is not discounted with his trainer suggesting this sort of ground will be ideal.
Frontier Dancer (IRE) 4-9fav (11-2) Tracked leader, led on bit 3 out, clear after 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Sep beating Steel Magnate (11-2) by 13l, 4 ran.
Gee Dee Nen 13-8fav (11-8) Pressed leader, led 4 out, ridden and headed approaching last, held towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Earth Dream (11-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f nov chs (3) sft in Aug.
Rebel Du Maquis (FR) 6-4fav (10-13) Made all, strongly challenged approaching 2 out, hard ridden, stayed on well under pressure, won at Wincanton 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Apr beating Persian Run (11-6) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Wolf Moon (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 7th, weakened from 4 out, tailed off next, last of 7, well behind Big Buck's (11-7) at Aintree 3m hdl G1 (1) gd in Apr.
