made all, ridden 2 out, clear approaching next, comfortable
tracked winner until hit and landed awkwardly 4th, soon dropped to rear, pulled up approaching 3 out
keen early, tracked leaders, chased winner soon after 4th, ridden 2 out, no impression
close up in 4th, went 3rd at 5th, ridden 3 out, beaten when slow next
Nero Rock finally opened his account over the larger obstacles here last week but that has earned him a penalty and LUCKY ONE was a better hurdler and is receiving 7lb less Theo Gillard’s claim - the latter can make successful switch to fences. Eskendash only won a claiming hurdle at Catterick and is 0-11 in chases.
Nero Rock (IRE) 9-4 (10-13) Mostly jumped well, bit awkward 5th, hit 7th, clear when hit 2 out, good jump last, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in May beating Geromino (11-10) by 16l, 4 ran.
Lucky One (FR) 8-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear out wide, closer in mid-division 3 out, chased leaders approaching next, 5th and no impression run-in, 5th of 22, 12 1/2l behind Suprise Package (11-1) at Sandown 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Eskendash (USA) 17-2 (11-9) Raced keenly, narrow lead until after 1st, chased leader, closed 4th, led after 3 out, clear before 2 out, ridden when mistake last, reduced lead flat, kept on, won at Catterick 2m (4) gs in Mar beating Weebill (11-5) by 3l, 4 ran.
Deerfoot 16-1 (10-6) Midfield, pushed along 4 out, no impression, 4th of 6, 20l behind Obey The Rules (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Nov.