chased leaders, left 2nd at the 2nd, closed after 11th, challenged 13th, led 14th, headed 16th, hit 4 out, struggling to go with winner after, not fluent and no impression 3 out
tracked winner, jumped right 1st, mistake and unseated rider 2nd
jumped well, led, clear 8th until after 11th, headed 14th, led 16th, clear from 3 out, comfortably
keen early, left 3rd at the 2nd, closed after 11th, struggling to keep up when jumped right and not fluent 13th (water), well beaten after, plugged on to close on 2nd from 2 out
Lil Rockerfeller is three from three over fences which includes one victory around here. But his jumping still leaves something to be desired and he may meet his match today in IBIS DU RHEU, who certainly wasn’t winning out of turn over the larger obstacles here last month when The Worlds End was only third. The latter is 8lb better off for under three lengths but the Nicholls’ novice is still fancied to confirm that form as he’ll strip fitter now. Gunfleet just failed to give weight to a nice prospect in an Exeter handicap on his chasing bow and has been lightly raced so shouldn’t be ignored.
Ibis Du Rheu (FR) 11-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders on inside, driven into 2nd turning in, switched outside between last 2, soon ridden to challenge, led flat, kept on well, won at Cheltenham 3m (2) gd in Nov beating Theatre Territory (10-7) by 1l, 6 ran.
Lil Rockerfeller (USA) 4-11fav (11-10) Made most, driven 2 out, drew clear before last, pushed out, readily, won at Exeter 3m (3) gs in Nov beating Hoo Bally Diva (10-7) by 8l, 6 ran.
The Worlds End (IRE) Evensfav (11-5) Prominent, not fluent 6th, dropped to last pair next, tracked leaders 11th, effort on outside 2 out, ridden and unable to quicken between last 2, kept on, no impression with front pair flat, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Ibis Du Rheu (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m (2) gd in Nov.
Gunfleet (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 6 out, ridden before 2 out, upsides winner run-in, just held, 2nd of 11, hd behind Just A Sting (11-4) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
