chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, struggling to keep up when mistake 7th, well behind before 3 out
tracked leader, ridden when not fluent 2 out, led last, drew clear flat
led, jumped right at times, ridden and edged right after 2 out, headed last, no impression flat
Splash Of Ginge clearly needed the run when finishing a well-beaten third behind AINSI FIDELES at Perth last month. He was a smart novice hurdler and should have a future over fences but it's asking a lot of him to turn the form around here on the same terms given David Pipe's four-year-old has taken really well to the larger obstacles. Gentleman Jon and Portway Flyer may need more time while Definite Ruby, like Gordon Elliott's runner in the previous race, was engaged here yesterday.
Gentleman Jon 50-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd or 5th, pushed along to challenge before 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 35l behind Josses Hill (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Apr.
Splash of Ginge 5-4 (11-2) Tracked leaders, hung left on bend after 8th, went 2nd 10th until not fluent 4 out, not fluent next, soon weakened, 3rd of 4, 48l behind Ainsi Fideles (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Sep.
Ainsi Fideles (FR) 10-11fav (11-0) Led, joined 3 out, headed next, stayed on gamely to lead again towards finish, won at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Sep beating Howwoulduno (11-3) by hd, 4 ran.
Portway Flyer (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Prominent, not fluent 7th, ridden before 3 out, lost place approaching next, last of 9, 12l behind Rumble Of Thunder (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Definite Ruby (IRE) 8-11fav (11-5) Raced mainly in 3rd, pushed along after 4 out, took closer order before next, challenged from 2 out, lead after last and kept on well run-in, won at Downpatrick 2m 7f beg chase gf in Sep beating Draycott Place (11-9) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
