keen led, hung badly left 4th, headed next, tracked leader until ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
close up, headway to track leaders 2 out, ridden to join leader flat, driven to lead narrowly towards finish, ran on
tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden and headed approaching last, hung left flat, kept on
tracked leaders, hit 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, joined flat, headed narrowly towards finish, ran on
held up well off the pace, closed 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out
held up well off the pace, closed 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out, not fluent last
held up well off the pace, closed 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, went 4th close home
Several carry penalties having already won over hurdles though Commanche Red’s victory came over a longer trip at Fontwell. Didtheyleaveuoutto just prevailed in a maiden hurdle at Fakenham on his reappearance and can figure but Highest Sun is harder to assess having won easily in the French provinces in April and switching to Colin Tizzard’s yard subsequently. Ratoute Yutty debuts for Dan Skelton and has undergone wind surgery since winning a maiden hurdle at Navan last year but the unbeaten THOMAS DARBY makes most appeal in this. Olly Murphy’s bumper winner beat Elixir De Nutz, a winner at Cheltenham last weekend, at the latter track on his return to action and hurdling debut and Richard Johnson keeps the winning partnership intact.
Commanche Red (IRE) 10-11fav (10-12) Held up, progress 6th, led approaching 2 out, clear approaching last, driven out flat, won at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) gs in Oct beating Rebel Royal (11-5) by 16l, 5 ran.
Didtheyleaveuoutto (IRE) 2-5fav (11-0) Held up, not fluent 2nd, progress from 3 out to take 2nd 2 out, challenged going well before last, shaken up flat, led close home, won at Fakenham 2m mdn (4) gd in Oct beating Starjac (11-0) by nk, 7 ran.
Highest Sun (FR) (10-7) won at Chateaubriant 2m 1f sft in Apr beating Bagnoles (10-7) by 16l, 12 ran.
Thomas Darby (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, 3rd after next, closed last, led flat, edged right and ran green but quickened up smartly to assert, won at Cheltenham 2m mdn (3) gd in Oct beating Elixir De Nutz (11-0) by 3 1/4l, 13 ran.
Another Go (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, effort on outside over 3f out, ridden and no impression over 2f out, 9th of 10, 13 1/4l behind Fitzwilly (9-4) at Kempton 2m hcp (5) pol in Sep.
Benny's Bridge (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Held up, pulled hard, closed on downhill run after 1st, challenged 4 out, led 2 out, shaken up and headed last, not given hard time and held final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Rocco (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Rock Steady (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching when stumbled and unseated rider 2 out, at Ascot 2m (3) gd in Nov.
Ratoute Yutty 7-4jfav (11-2) Tracked leaders on inner, jumped well, disputed lead from 5th, led 4 out, went clear after 3 out, stayed on strongly from last, easily, won at Navan 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Miz Dilleen (11-0) by 13l, 10 ran.
