not fluent early, held up 3rd and last, headway to challenge 4 out, led on bit between last 2, drew readily clear after last, easily
tracked leader, not fluent 5th, led narrowly 7th, driven and headed between last 2, soon no chance with winner, ridden out for 2nd flat
tended to jump right early, led to 7th, driven 4 out, ridden and no impression with front pair approaching 2 out
Only four runners here but a fascinating little contest nevertheless. Rock Noir finished 20 lengths ahead of QOZAK when scoring at Exeter last month. But the former had the benefit of a recent run that day and was also more experienced over the larger obstacles. Jonjo O'Neill's French import has since finished well beaten at Bangor and, on 7lb better terms, the Nicholls' runner can have his revenge as he's sure to know more today. Puyol was pulled up over hurdles on his first start for new connections at Aintree but Keki Buku finished fifth in that race and looks the type to do well over fences in time, though possibly over further than today's distance.
Rock Noir (FR) 7-4fav (11-8) Chased leaders, took closer order halfway, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 4, 47l behind Fiendish Flame (11-8) at Bangor 2m 1f grad ch (2) sft in Nov.
Keki Buku (FR) 7-2fav (11-7) Settled in mid-division, headway 4 out, soon tracking leaders, raced wide and effort before 3 out, soon under pressure and weakened, 5th of 11, 19l behind Quartz De Thaix (11-12) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Nov.
Qozak (FR) 4-5fav (11-1) Tracked leader, led after 4th, headed 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 3rd of 4, 20l behind Rock Noir (11-1) at Exeter 2m 1f nov chs (2) gs in Nov.
Puyol (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Raced in rear, headway halfway, pushed along 7th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Quartz De Thaix (11-12) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
