held up in touch, driven and outpaced approaching 3 out, headway under pressure to lead before next, ridden and kept on flat
held up, outpaced approaching 3 out, never near leaders
tracked leader, not fluent 5th, lost place before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up after next
held up, ridden and outpaced 3 out, kept on same pace from next, never on terms
raced keenly and soon led, clear 3rd to after 3 out, headed before next, soon weakened
tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, effort when hit next, ridden and one pace approaching last
held up in rear, ridden approaching 3 out, never dangerous
RUPESTRIAN is taken to complete a hat-trick over hurdles, being preferred to likely market rival Barizan, with Irish Saint looking the pick of the remainder. Tim Vaughan bought the gelding for just ¿4,000 in April from Mark Johnston, for whom he'd been lightly raced on the flat, but he's taken to hurdling like a duck to water, winning both starts at Stratford and Hexham since changing yards. He's a stone heavier than when last running, but he won then by 15 lengths from Irish Saint, and at this level it'll take something special to beat him. Whether the stone weight advantage this time can help Tim Pitt's charge remains to be seen, but he's got some ability. Barizan won first time out over hurdles for Evan Williams, after previously running in Ireland on the flat for John Oxx. Further improvement can be expected from him, and although he may not be an eye-catcher on parade, he's looked a smart jumper on the evidence so far. It's a long way to travel for his only runner on the card, but a similar solo trip to the course a fortnight ago brought success. Some of these are jumping for the first time in public, so any support should be noted, but we're happy to side with Rupestrian.
Rupestrian 1-2fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led between last 2, soon clear, won at Hexham 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf beating Irish Saint (10-12) by 15l, 7 ran.
Castle Myth (USA) 50-1 (8-5) Held up in rear, headway to close on leaders over 2f out, kept on to take 3rd over 1f out, no impression on leading pair, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Dome Rocket (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo clm stks (6) pol (flat).
Inca Slew (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) Mid-division, effort over 3f out, no impression, 8th of 11, 11l behind Rosewin (8-4) at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) fm (flat).
Irish Saint (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Led, clear to halfway, headed between last two, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 15l behind Rupestrian (10-12) at Hexham 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf.
Shaker Style (USA) 3-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway under pressure to go 3rd between last 2, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 7, 35l behind Rupestrian (10-12) at Hexham 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf.
Strevelyn 16-1 (8-5) Held up, headway over 2f out, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 24l behind New Tricks (9-3) at Hamilton 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf (flat).
Miss Gibboa (IRE) 16-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression approaching final furlong, 7th of 13, 11l behind The Last Alzao (8-12) at Redcar 1m 2f Handicap (0-55) (3yo) (6) gd (flat).
Pontardawe 16-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, effort 2f out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 7, 43l behind Rupestrian (10-12) at Hexham 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf.
Barizan (IRE) 2-5fav (10-12) In touch, challenged 3 out, led flat, ran on, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd beating True Britannia (10-0) by 6l, 8 ran.
