led, ridden hit and headed 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, headway when switched wide approaching 2 out, led soon after 2 out, ridden clear approaching last, comfortable
tracked leader, ridden to lead 2 out when hit and landed awkwardly, soon headed, kept on same pace
close up, dropped to rear 5 out, weakened 3 out
STONY MAN has run well in both hurdle starts so far and is facing lesser opposition today. Tip Top Tonto wasn’t beaten far at Plumpton earlier this month and Copper Fox was the stable second string when runner-up here 10 days ago but is the first choice today on jockey bookings ahead of Islebriand.
Copper Fox 11-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, lost place 4th, stayed on from 3 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Kerosine Light (11-4) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f mdn (4) gd in May.
Stony Man (IRE) 40-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, plugged on from 3 out, went 5th before last, no impression, 5th of 16, 31 1/2l behind Wonderwall (11-8) at Doncaster 2m 5f mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Tip Top Tonto (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, mistake and lost place 5th, pushed along before 2 out when hampered by faller, ridden and kept on from last, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Sophosc (11-4) at Plumpton 2m mdn (4) gd in May.
Islebriand (FR) 3-1 (10-7) Held up in last, headway over 3f out, 3rd and no impression on winner over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 4, 11l behind Imperial Merlin (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (5) gd in Apr.
Dee Eire 16-1 (10-11) In rear, bad mistake 1st, not fluent 4th, some headway 3 out, no impression, 5th of 9, 20 1/2l behind Kerosine Light (11-4) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f mdn (4) gd in May.
