took keen hold, jumped right and not fluent, led, clear until 6th, hit next, headed 3 out, well beaten 2nd when mistake and unseated rider last
chased clear leader, closed 6th, led 3 out, well in command from 2 out, mistake last
not fluent 1st, tailed off next, left 2nd last
Sussex Road has the most recent form though never threatened when placed over fences at Stratford and has a tough task against today’s two opponents. They both go chasing for the first time and Pacific De Baune has undergone wind surgery since finishing second over hurdles at Fakenham under a penalty. The Henderson charge should go well but DJINGLE also hails from a powerful yard and despite running poorly over timber on his debut for Paul Nicholls, the Listed hurdles winner in France may just edge this.
Djingle (FR) 7-2 (11-8) Led after 1st, headed before 3 out, no chance with front pair after, lost moderate 3rd before last, 4th of 5, dist behind Vision Des Flos (11-3) at Exeter 2m 1f lst (1) hvy in Feb.
Pacific De Baune (FR) 5-6fav (11-11) Bit keen, led, ridden headed and hit last, stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Act Of Valour (10-13) at Fakenham 2m (4) gs in Apr.
Sussex Road (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Chased winner until 2nd, raced in last after, pushed along after 10th, weakened 2 out, last of 3, dist behind Stowaway Magic (11-4) at Stratford 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov.
