tracked leader, led 3 out, blundered 2 out, headed last, 3rd and no extra towards finish
held up in rear, not fluent 7th, headway 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no extra flat
held up, effort 3 out, soon ridden, led flat, clear towards finish
led into start, led until not fluent 3 out, led again last, edged left and headed flat, no impression on winner towards finish
tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, slow next, not fluent 5th or 7th, weakened before 3 out
HOLRYALE represents last year’s winning yard and won a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter recently. Dan Skelton’s charge should improve further though will need to if he’s to best Play The Ace. A prolific winning chaser, the latter is clear at the weights but arrives in woeful form having only his second start over timber. Knighthood has plenty of scope as he debuts over hurdles for the Henderson yard and is preferred to the winning pointers Ask Robin and Rockinrolldixie.
Holryale (IRE) 6-5fav (11-2) Made all, ridden before 3 out, 1 length clear when rider dropped whip last, driven out flat, kept on when hard pressed towards finish, just held on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Jun beating Lion Rouge (10-12) by nk, 7 ran.
Ask Robin (IRE) 7-2 (12-2) Mid-div & ww, cl 4th 6out & smooth prog bef 3out, cl 2nd gng well 2out, ld bef last, went clr flat, won at Tralee 3m mdn gd in May beating Coach Road (12-2) by 3l, 18 ran.
Play The Ace (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, no chance with clear trio after, plugged on in remote 4th, tailed off, 4th of 7, dist behind Settie Hill (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f (4) gd in Jun.
Rockinrolldixie (IRE) 6-4fav (12-0) (tt) ref to race, at Chaddesley Corbett 3m gd in May.
Knighthood 9-4fav (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 9l behind Westbury (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m (5) gd in May.
