jumped well, made all, stumbled on bend before 9th, well in command before 2 out, 8 lengths clear last, eased flat
chased leader to 9th, blundered and weakened next, soon tailed off
close up until dropped to rear 6th, headway to chase leading pair 9th, driven after 3 out, challenging for 2nd, no chance with winner when left 2nd last
took keen hold, close up until dropped to rear 7th, no chance after
held up last, went 4th at 11th, left poor 3rd last
chased leaders, chased winner 9th, driven after 3 out, disputing 8 lengths 2nd, fell last
Hobbs Hill gets the confident vote here with Brilliant Cut and Verasi rating the main dangers. The selection won in facile fashion last time out when beating Modicum and although having a penalty for that win he looks sure to improve for the longer trip and he is taken to win again. Verasi was a fair sort over hurdles and is sure to have been well schooled so he should be watched in the market. Brilliant Cut showed a bit of ability over hurdles and is another that could improve for the switch to fences. Jean Le Poisson looks the stables second string on jockey bookings. Of the remainder Red Ensign may need the run after a 935 day break and with this in mind for the winner we return to the progressive Hobbs Hill.
Hobbs Hill 13-8fav (11-3) Always prominent, joined leaders 5th, led 7th, headed last, ridden and rallied to regain lead final 50 yards, won at Hexham 2m beg chs (4) gd in Oct beating Modicum (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Brilliant Cut 20-1 (11-2) Held up, jumped slow 6th, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 6th of 9, well behind Master Eddy (11-8) at Newbury 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Jean Le Poisson (FR) 7-1 (11-11) Close up, went 2nd 4f out, hung left under pressure 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 22, 8l behind Helens Vision (10-8) at Newbury 2m nhf (5) gs in Mar.
Red Ensign 7-2fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led 3rd, clear next, hit 2 out, blundered last, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Eau Pure (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Mar '05.
Sheriff Roscoe 13-8fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, led 8th, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Thunder Rock (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Verasi 25-1 (11-0) Always behind, 17th of 21, well behind Albertas Run (10-4) at Aintree 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
