not that fluent, made all, ridden and joined before last, stayed on gamely, going away towards finish
chased winner, closed final bend, every chance last, ridden flat, no impression towards finish
raced in last, not fluent 3 out or 2 out, soon held, no extra before last
This is interesting as all four scored last time. Reams Of Love showed significant improvement to oblige over course and distance last month and will probably need to find something more against today's rivals. Rafiki battled on well to get the verdict on his hurdling debut and should progress, whilst Pop The Champagne seeks a hat-trick after successes at Ffos Las and Worcester in similar contests. She's clearly going the right way but SOPHOSC did really well to win after meeting trouble in running on her hurdling bow at Plumpton in May. She also arrives here in good nick having landed an amateur jockeys' handicap on the level at Newbury this month.
Pop The Champagne (FR) 4-9fav (11-7) Held up in last, smooth headway over 3 out, led 2 out, ridden clear from before last, powered away flat and eased close home, easily, won at Worcester 2m (4) gs in Jun beating Sorceress Medea (11-0) by 9 1/2l, 6 ran.
Rafiki (FR) 5-1 (10-9) Waited with in last pair, steady headway before 3 out, went between horses into 2nd approaching the last where not quite fluent and lost momentum, driven and strong challenge towards finish, led last strides, won at Stratford 2m (4) gd in Jun beating Tardree (11-0) by hd, 5 ran.
Reams Of Love 20-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway 2 out, led before last, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Stratford 2m mdn (4) gd in Jun beating Patient Dream (10-13) by 3 1/4l, 9 ran.
Sophosc (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, ridden 2f out, headway 1f out, ran on well to lead shortly before line, won at Newbury 1m hcp (5) gd in Jul beating Fast Steps (11-2) by nk, 8 ran.
