in rear, mistake 1st, awkward and lost touch 3rd, tailed off
led, ridden and headed after 4 out, stayed on under pressure, no impression towards finish
tracked leader until mistake 2nd, stayed handy, challenged 4 out, soon led, hit 2 out, driven and stayed on well flat
tracked leaders, went 2nd from 2nd, not fluent when challenging next, mistake 4th, ridden and lost 2nd just before 4 out, weakened approaching next
held up in touch in 4th, took keen hold, challenging when not fluent 4 out, beaten 2 out, no extra before last
A disappointing turnout for a Grade 1, which has rather lost its glitter in recent years. Solar Impulse has his first run since June and his form in France was nothing special. Le Rocher was soon back-pedalling in this grade at Auteuil last month while Kentucky Hyden, yet another from across the Channel, was beaten by a 33/1 chance at Cheltenham two weeks ago. Violet Dancer has done nothing wrong at Plumpton or Sandown but whether he'll handle the big step up in class is anybody's guess. CHOCALA looked the likely winner approaching the last on his hurdling debut at Newbury but got left behind on the run-in. However, he had a subsequent scorer trailing in his wake and should have learned from the experience. Alan King's charge is taken to recoup losses.
Arty Campbell (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Led until ran out 3rd, in a race won by Ivanhoe (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 3yo hdl (4) hvy, 6 ran.
Kentucky Hyden (IRE) 7-4 (11-7) Close up in 3rd until went 2nd from 5th, led and pecked 2 out, ridden last, headed flat, kept on, held towards finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Ballyglasheen (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo hdl (2) gd.
Le Rocher (FR) 10-1 (10-5) 7th of 9, 20l behind Hippomene (10-5) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f 3yo hdl Grd 1 (1) hvy in Nov.
Solar Impulse (FR) (10-5) won at Auteuil(FR) 2m 1f 3yo hdl in Jun beating Camping Ground (10-12) by 10l, 11 ran.
Violet Dancer 9-4 (11-4) Took keen hold, not fluent 1st, held up in last pair, not fluent 5th, smooth headway after 3 out, went 2nd going well 2 out, pecked on landing, rallied to lead last, kept on well and ridden out flat, won at Sandown 2m 3yo hdl (3) gs beating Sleepy Haven (11-4) by 4l, 8 ran.
Chocala (IRE) 5-2fav (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led after 1st, hit 4th, ridden before 2 out, headed before last, one pace, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Calipto (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo hdl (3) gs in Nov.
