chased leader, not fluent 4th, ridden before 3 out, lost 2nd before next, one pace
not always fluent, always well behind
held up, not always fluent, in touch 4 out, one pace and no impression next
refused to race
chased leaders, not fluent 11th, went 2nd before 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on, led towards finish
led, clear at times, driven before last, stayed on, headed towards finish
chased leaders, not fluent 9th, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
KEEPER HILL is back over the smaller obstacles after chasing home the high-class Frodon in a Grade 2 over fences at Kempton and Warren Greatrex’ charge has won over this far in the past. Rocket Lad makes his handicap debut after disappointing in a Grade 2 hurdle at Cheltenham but compatriot Fred The Foot landed a handicap over 3m here last month and is 5lb higher. Highland Hunter wasn’t at his best on his return and debut for Paul Nicholls’ yard but is still preferred to maiden hurdle winner Order Of Thistle and the latter’s stablemate Mighty Thunder.
Keeper Hill (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Raced wide tracking leaders, went 2nd 3rd until 11th, chased leading pair, pushed along before 3 out, went 2nd before the last, driven and stayed on run-in, always held, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Frodon (11-6) at Kempton 2m 4f (1) gs in Jan.
Rocket Lad (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, headway 7th, led 2 out, soon headed, weakened and pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Fred The Foot (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, headway 6 out, led 4 out, mistake next, all out, won at Musselburgh 3m hcp (3) gs in Jan beating Ask Paddington (10-6) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Traditional Dancer (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Keen towards rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, kept on towards finish, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Optima Petamus (9-4) at Newcastle 1m 4f stks (6) pol in Dec.
Highland Hunter (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) In touch, driven and outpaced 3 out, no impression after, 8th of 17, 19 1/4l behind Stoney Mountain (11-3) at Haydock 3m hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Mighty Thunder 2-1fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, under pressure 6 out, rallied 3 out, soon beaten, modest 4th, 4th of 6, 24 3/4l behind Fred The Foot (11-12) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Order Of Thistle (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) In touch, headway 4 out, led 2 out, edged right approaching last, ridden and stayed on strongly, won at Musselburgh 3m mdn (4) gs in Jan beating Whiteoak Fleur (10-7) by 4l, 7 ran.
