held up last, smooth headway into third before 3 out, travelling best 2 out, led last and won going away, impressive
close up in third on rail, went second before 3 out, joined by winner 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on
raced in second throughout, soon ridden before 3 out, weakened
led, sensible pace, not fluent 3rd, pace increased when not fluent 5th, four lengths clear before 3 out, joined 2 out, lost second last, no match for winners
RIBBLE VALLEY’s only defeat over hurdles so far came when odds-on for a Grade 2 at Ascot. He still finished seven lengths ahead of the smart McFabulous and it will be disappointing if he can’t beat these, despite conceding weight all round and racing over a trip short of his best. Nickolson is capable of further improvement after just three runs but Molly Ollys Wishes has only won one of her eight career starts so far and may need further. Dragonfruit looks to be making up the numbers.
Ribble Valley (IRE) 5-6fav (11-0) Keen tracked leaders, chased winner 3 out, ridden next, no impression, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Master Debonair (11-3) at Ascot 2m (1) hvy in Dec.
Nickolson (FR) Evensfav (11-7) Not always fluent, chased leader, challenged 4th, led next, edged right last bend, hung right after 2 out, mistake and headed last, no impression flat, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Hooligan (11-1) at Warwick 2m (4) sft in Mar.
Dragonfruit 80-1 (11-0) Pressed leader, gradually lost ground from 3rd, pushed along towards rear before 4 out,, 8th of 10, dist behind Guard Your Dreams (11-0) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Sep.
Molly Ollys Wishes 13-8 (11-5) Held up mid-division, not fluent 5th, tracked leaders before 3 out, shaken up and not quicken between last 2, ridden and stayed on into narrow 2nd flat, no impression with winner, 2nd of 9, 3 1/4l behind It's Probably Me (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) hvy in Feb.
