not fluent, prominent, led 5th, headed next, mistake 8th, weakened 2 out
led until 5th, led next, hit 2 out, ridden clear before last, easily
last pair, not fluent 4 out, soon lost touch, tailed off
last pair and ran in snatches, reminders after 7th, closed 9th, mistake and went 2nd 3 out, no impression on winner from next
NonRunner
Rock On Fruity hasn’t run over hurdles in more than five years but did win a chase here on his final appearance last season off today’s mark. Hepijeu is also better known as a chaser nowadays but he was second when favourite for this last year, though only half-a-length ahead of Handy Hollow who is 2lb better off. CHOCOLAT NOIR’s recent strike-rate is impressive and, though this longer trip raises a small question mark, he can defy a new career-high mark and win again.
Hepijeu (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Towards rear, not fluent 9th, ridden 4 out, mistake 3 out, jumped right 2 out, no impression, 8th of 9, dist behind Doing Fine (11-10) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Chocolat Noir (IRE) 11-4jfav (10-12) Made all, not fluent 5th, blundered 7th, ridden between last 2, stayed on gamely run-in, won at Perth 3m hcp (3) gd in Aug beating Craigmor (11-8) by 3 3/4l, 9 ran.
Cairnshill (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Behind, pecked 6th, headway before 13th, mistake 3 out, lost place next, tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind Elmono (12-0) at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Aug.
Handy Hollow (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd last, no impression on winner from final bend, kept on, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Top Billing (10-2) at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Aug.
Rock On Fruity (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Held up and behind, mistake 6th, headway approaching 11th, went 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, shaken up and soon clear, ridden out flat, won at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (3) hvy in Mar beating Justforjames (11-0) by 4 3/4l, 6 ran.
