mistake 1st, with leader, left in lead 3rd (water), headed narrowly 3 out, ridden after next, regained lead after last, going away final 110 yards
took keen hold, led narrowly until sprawled on landing and unseated rider 3rd (water)
took keen hold, tracked leaders, left 3rd at 3rd, left sole rival next, poised to challenge 4 out, led narrowly next, ridden and headed after last, found little flat, well held final 110 yards
tracked leaders, left 2nd at 3rd (water), fell next
held up in touch in rear when bumped and unseated rider after 3rd
Violet Dancer hasn't been foot-perfect over fences so far but has won twice and enjoyed his finest hour here over timber when landing the Betfair Hurdle. He'll ensure a strong pace but could get taken on for the lead by all-the-way Taunton winner Balgarry. STILLETTO (NAP) came from off the pace to score at Catterick in what was only his fourth start under Rules. He doesn't look badly treated on his handicap debut over fences getting plenty of weight from his likely market rivals. Lingfield winner Sea Wall is a real mud-lover and the going may not be testing enough here while Honey Pound prefers faster ground.
Violet Dancer 1-5fav (11-5) Raced keenly, made all, awkward 6th, hit next, came clear approaching 2 out, eased run-in, unchallenged, won at Plumpton 2m 1f (3) sft in Nov beating Exitas (11-0) by 22l, 3 ran.
Balgarry (FR) 9-4fav (11-10) Close up, led 4th, pressed from 2 out, ridden before last, kept on well, won at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Barrakilla (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Stilletto (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Mid-division and keen, headway 11th, went 2nd from 3 out, led before 2 out, kept on well run-in, won at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec beating Amore Alato (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Sea Wall (FR) 11-4fav (11-12) Led until after 3rd, chased leader, hit 5th, led again 4 out, clear next, kept on well, won at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Rouquine Sauvage (11-8) by 8l, 7 ran.
Honey Pound (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) In rear, headway before 4 out, bumped badly by winner 3 out, well held in 2nd when blundered last, 2nd of 4, 26l behind Buckhorn Timothy (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Nov.