led to 8th, stayed prominent, weakened into 5th when hit 3 out, mistake next
held up in rear but in touch, steady headway from 9th, led narrowly after 3 out, in command next, clear when hit last, eased near finish
not fluent, chased leaders, hit 8th, weakened next, well behind when hit 2 out
held up in rear but in touch, steady headway approaching 9th, pressed leaders 3 out, soon chased winner, held before 2 out, weakened and hit last
close up, effort 3 out, weakened under pressure before next
chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
wandered at several flights, tracked leader, led 8th to next, weakened before 3 out
behind, mistake and driven along 5th, tailed off when blundered 7th, pulled up before next
in touch, slow jump 6th, headway to lead 9th, headed soon after 3 out, weakened before 2 out
River Ripples gets the confident vote to open his account over hurdles at the first time of asking with Pan The Man and Just A Splash rating the main dangers. The selection is a point to point winner and ran well in a bumper on his last run when second behind Mars Rock. He is sure to have been well schooled for this his hurdling debut and under conditions that suit he is taken to score. Pan The Man rates the main danger as he won a bumper on his only start to date when beating Miss Midnight but that form has since been let down and he looks opposable on that basis. Just A Splash is another worthy of respect on his latest third behind Random Quest. He is sure to improve for the step up in trip and should be noted in the market. Of the remainder Sett Aside is from a yard in form and could go well at a price but for the winner we return to River Ripples.
Joe Mchugh (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Always in the rear, 16th of 18, well behind Black Jack Ketchum (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (B) gs.
Just A Splash (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Held up, headway to chase leaders approaching 4 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 10, 15l behind Random Quest (10-12) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (E) hvy.
Northern Link (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Always behind, tailed off, 14th of 15, well behind Black Jack Ketchum (10-13) at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gd in Jun '04.
Pan The Man (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, kept on well, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 1f nhf (H) gf in May beating Miss Midnight (10-0) by a hd, 13 ran.
River Ripples (IRE) 2-1 (11-2) Held up, headway to track leaders 7f out, ridden to chase winner final 2f, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Mars Rock (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (H) gs in Oct.
Sett Aside 66-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders until fell at the 7th in race won by Royal Hector (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (E) gs, 9 ran.
Silverio (GER) 40-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Fleurette (10-7) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) hvy, 12 ran.
Rose Amber 33-1 (10-6) Chased leaders until halfway, 11th of 13, well behind Pairtree (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (H) gf in May.
