led, clear 2nd, pushed along and reduced lead before 4 out, headed soon after 4 out, weakened before next
tracked leader who went clear after 2nd, reached for 11th, closer before 4 out, led soon after 4 out, headed next, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
jumped stickily early stages, mistake 1st, held up off the pace in 3rd, not fluent 9th, closer on outside travelling strongly before 4 out, led 3 out, clear before next, shaken up before last, impressive
A high-class contest despite the small field. Emitom did nothing wrong on his chasing bow at Uttoxeter and last year’s Stayers’ Hurdle fourth won a Grade 2 over the smaller obstacles last season. If The Cap Fits was also a very smart stayer over hurdles and landed a Grade 1 at Aintree in 2018. He’s also won the Grade 2 Ascot Hurdle for the last two years but, like Emitom, may prove best over 3m over fences. FIDDLERONTHEROOF found only the smart Thyme Hill too good over this trip here on his reappearance last season. He later won the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown and his trainer believes he could go right to the top in the chasing sphere.
Emitom (IRE) 5-6fav (11-4) Led, jumped well, pressed approaching last, ridden along run-in, headed dying strides, 2nd of 7, nk behind Hurricane Harvey (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (3) gs in Oct.
Fiddlerontheroof (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) In touch on inside, driven and lost place after 2 out, weakened before last, 11th of 15, dist behind Shishkin (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
If The Cap Fits (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Mid-division, in touch 2 out, soon outpaced and dropped to well held last before the last, kept on final 100 yards, no impression, 5th of 8, 7 1/2l behind Paisley Park (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Jan.
