Rydalis, placed at Lingfield and Fontwell in a light campaign, sets the standard here but it's not a very high one and her yard have hardly been firing in the winners lately. Compassion should have learned plenty from her first run over hurdles but was beaten a long way so we'll take a chance on newcomer SOCIAL REALISM. A winner on the Flat in France, she's not overtaxed on her first start in this country. The Grey Fox is out of a useful hurdler/chaser and is from the same family as the smart Royal Auclair but probably best watched on her racecourse debut at the age of seven.
Miss Powderkeg 200-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, always struggling, tailed off from 5 out, last of 13, well behind Miss Tique (10-12) at Chepstow 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Rydalis (FR) 11-4 (10-12) Led, narrowly headed 3 out, stayed challenging until dropped to 3rd soon after 2 out, edged right and stayed on same pace from last, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Lastchanceforlisa (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs nov hdl (4) gs.
The Grey Fox (IRE) Linamix mare out of Canadiane.
Timeforagin 100-1 (10-7) Pressed leader, led 2nd to after 4th, chased leaders, outpaced after 7th, soon ridden, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Kindly Note (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft.
Compassion 17-2 (10-7) Took keen hold, chased leaders, lost place approaching 4th, behind and never on terms after, tailed off, 10th of 11, 43l behind Ninfea (10-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Social Realism (IRE) (9-4) 9th of 18, 12l behind Speedy Crown (9-5) at Fontainebleau(FR) 1m 4f hcap sft in Nov (flat).
Valiant Bee 25-1 (8-8) Behind, headway over 4f out, chased leaders over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 10, 22l behind Maid Of Meft (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol (flat).