led, joined 4 out, headed narrowly but still every chance when blundered badly and unseated rider next
keen early, held up 3rd and last, lost touch 4 out, left remote 2nd and sole rival next, no chance with winner
tracked leader, challenged 4 out, led narrowly when blundered and left well clear next, unextended
MEDERMIT had the best rating of these over hurdles and while it is no guarantee that this will pan out over the larger obstacles, we are confident that the Champion Hurdle seventh is one to keep on the right side of this season. Big things were expected of Rock Noir on his reappearance at Huntingdon. He appeared to show a complete lack of respect to the fences on that occasion and he will need to leave that level of form behind. Wessex King won a novice chase at Towcester though had failed at listed level over hurdles previously. Alaskan Prince was beaten in Irish points and is yet to complete a chase or hurdles event under rules.
Wessex King (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway 9th, blundered 4 out, ridden 3 out, went 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner, demoted to 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 21l behind Robinson Collonges (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd.
Alaskan Prince (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Keen early, held up in last pair, left 4th and last 6th, jumped slowly next, outpaced before 3 out, soon beaten, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Saveiro (11-3) at Hexham 2m beg chs (4) sft, 5 ran.
Medermit (FR) 11-1 (11-12) Mid-division on inner, 5th 2 out, soon no impression and dropped to 7th, kept on from before last without threatening, 4th of 11, 10l behind Hurricane Fly (11-12) at Punchestown 2m hdl G1 gd in Apr.
Rock Noir (FR) 8-11fav (11-2) Tracked winner throughout, went clear with winner 4 out, every chance 2 out, not quicken between last 2, no impression approaching last, 2nd of 6, 17l behind Cockney Trucker (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (3) gd.
