in touch in rear, blundered and lost ground 8th, ridden 3 out, rallied to go 4th approaching last
led, ridden 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra and lost 2nd flat
close up, ridden 2 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, went 2nd 2 out, led approaching next, ran on comfortable
jumped left at times, tracked leader until 2 out, rallied to go 2nd again flat
A tricky opener but Templehills is 5lb lower than when landing this 12 months ago. Al Roc is still out of sorts, however, and Shetland Bus is now 0-12 over fences. Esprit De Somoza won here in March but returns from an absence along with STORM DENNIS. Chris Gordon’s charge starts out in a handicap over fences but was very progressive over hurdles at the start of the year and will have had plenty of schooling.
Esprit De Somoza (FR) Evensfav (12-0) Held up, ridden before 4 out, no impression, 4th of 6, dist behind Red Happy (10-10) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Al Roc (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Sweating, led and soon clear, reduced lead after 10th, reminders before next, headed 12th, weakened quickly, tailed off, 4th of 5, dist behind Vision Des Flos (11-4) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Storm Dennis (IRE) 7-2fav (10-6) Off the pace in 3rd, closer at 5th, challenged out wide run-in, ridden and stayed on gamely to lead final strides, won at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Feb beating Carys' Commodity (11-9) by nk, 11 ran.
Shetland Bus (GER) 14-1 (10-12) Off the pace in last pair, headway 9th, chased leaders before 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out ridden and one pace run-in, lost 2nd towarsd finish, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Kinondo Kwetu (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Templehills (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Jumped left at times, chased leaders, went 2nd after 9th until hit brush upright 11th, mistake 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 7, 20 1/2l behind De Barley Basket (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
