in touch, went 2nd before 3 out, soon led and jumped left, jumped left 2 out, clear before last
tracked leader until before 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, weakened after 4 out and pulled up
led, headed before 3 out, kept on same pace
in touch, lost place before 3 out
A couple of these stand out on hurdles form and what they've shown so far over fences. Oscar Sunset had the form of his second to Tea For Two here four weeks ago franked when the winner landed the Feltham at Kempton on Boxing Day. But he's jumping fences late in life and is three years older than likely market rival ACTIVIAL, who probably also came up against a smart novice when runner-up in a Grade 2 at Newbury. Barring accidents, the pair should dominate though Union Saint twice went close at Newton Abbot in the spring.
Activial (FR) 11-8fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, left in lead 11th, blundered and headed 5 out, went 2nd 3 out, no impression on winner from next, stayed on, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Three Musketeers (11-1) at Newbury 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov.
Fear Glic (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Made all, clear when hit 2nd, in command last, stayed on well, driven out, unchallenged, won at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Cocktails At Dawn (11-12) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.
Kilrush (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) In tch til outpcd 14, 5th of 7, 29l behind Cock Of The Rock (12-0) at Holnicote 3m gd in May.
Oscar Sunset (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up off the pace in 4th, outpaced 11th, stayed on and went 3rd 4 out, took 2nd post, never any chance with impressive winner, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Tea For Two (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f (2) hvy in Dec.
Union Saint (FR) 3-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway before 3 out, challenged 2 out, every chance last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Dormello Mo (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m (3) gd in May.
Hill Forts Gypse (IRE) 200-1 (10-7) Well off the pace in rear, no chance from 8th, tailed off 11th, distant 5th when pulled up before 2 out, at Exeter 2m 3f (2) hvy in Dec.