tended to jump left, chased winner, not fluent 10th, challenging when stumbled 3 out, no chance after
mostly jumped left, made all, dived at 4 out, hit 3 out, left clear
Boy In A Bentley appeared to be travelling best when coming to grief here nine days ago and could gain compensation with a clear round. Eric The Third has been busy but has won four of his last seven and has his ground again. DARLING MALTAIX didn’t win over hurdles but was second here and at Exeter in the spring. There is a good chance he’ll improve for the switch to fences so he gets the nod with Red Hanrahan now 0-6 over the larger obstacles.
Red Hanrahan (IRE) 14-1 (12-2) Led narrowly when fell 1st, at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Eric The Third (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Led, hit 1st, headed before 3rd, chased leader until before 7th, handy 3rd, 2nd again 10th, led 3 out, shaken up and over 3 lengths ahead last, stayed on gamely, ridden out, won at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep beating King Cnut (10-9) by 3 3/4l, 7 ran.
Boy In A Bentley (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Tracked clear leader, closer at 6th, led narrowly next, slight advantage when fell 3 out, at Wincanton 2m hcp (4) gf in Oct.
Darling Maltaix (FR) 5-2fav (10-12) Mid-division, took keen hold, closed from 3 out, went 3rd flat, ran on towards finish, 3rd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Djin Conti (10-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (5) gd in May.
