led, mistake 5th, headed before 4 out, weakened after next, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, under pressure 5 out, kept on approaching 2 out, never able to challenge
held up in touch, chased leaders 4 out, led after 3 out, headed next, no extra
tracked leaders, led approaching 4 out, headed after next, led again 2 out, wandered before last, ridden out
with leader, under pressure before 3 out, soon weakened, modest 4th
VERY NOBLE is still a maiden over hurdles but won a jumpers' bumper at Lingfield in February and looked to be crying out for a longer trip when outpaced by paradise Valley over 2m at Wincanton last time. He can get off the mark today ahead of another novice, Daveron, who finished well ahead of Exemplary at Exeter last month. On a line through recent course winner Hint Of Mint, Della Sun is held by the selection and Fountains Flypast has shown little since returning from injury.
Fountains Flypast 33-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, ridden and weakened before 2 out, last of 14, well behind Generous Ransom (11-3) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Della Sun (FR) 20-1 (10-8) Behind, driven 6th, never near leaders, 6th of 10, 19l behind Hint Of Mint (11-9) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
Very Noble (FR) 7-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd from 5th, no impression on winner before last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Paradise Valley (11-0) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Daveron (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inside, ridden 3 out, faltered after 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on same pace, 5th of 15, 7l behind Withy Mills (10-0) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Mar.
Exemplary 16-1 (11-8) Prominent, shaken up and lost place after 5th, weakened before 3 out, 13th of 15, well behind Withy Mills (10-0) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Mar.