tracked leaders, pushed along from 7th, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next
led, headed before 3 out, ridden and stayed on same pace before last
tracked leader, led before 3 out, ridden flat, stayed on well
tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, went 2nd when not fluent 2 out, driven flat, stayed on, unable to trouble winner
Rock On Ruby is sure to have benefited from his comeback third at Wincanton and he was only beaten a head by The New One over this trip in the Aintree Hurdle in April. Lac Fontana won a Grade 1 novices' event at that meeting and is another who will be sharper for a recent run. But, on today's revised terms, he has nothing in hand on VOLNAY DE THAIX who may not have stayed 3m at Haydock last month under a big weight. Nicky Henderson's charge could be worth another chance as Saffron Wells is probably a little out of his depth and Brother Brian will need to improve again on his win at Kempton to figure.
Lac Fontana (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Chased winner until 4 out, chased leading pair, pushed along before 2 out, driven and outpaced between last two, well held when went right last, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Faugheen (11-4) at Ascot 2m 3f hdl G2 (1) sft in Nov.
Brother Brian (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Made all, jumped and hung left from 2 out, pressed last, stayed on gamely, won at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov beating Utopie Des Bordes (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Rock On Ruby (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Led until before 2 out, kept on flat, no impression on winner, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Purple Bay (10-11) at Wincanton 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Volnay De Thaix (FR) 3-1fav (12-0) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, outpaced 2 out, kept on from last, 4th of 16, 8l behind Aubusson (10-13) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Saffron Wells (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway before 3 out to chase leaders, chased winner before last until run-in, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 5l behind Peckhamecho (11-2) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
