made all, drew clear approaching last, eased close home
chased winner, effort 2 out, kept on for clear 2nd but no chance with winner
chased leaders until weakened approaching 2 out
chased winner, ridden well before 2 out, soon beaten
Pancake is taken to win this at the main expense of Alan King's Risk Runner. The selection won over course and distance 19 days ago in good fashion, and a penalty for that win may not be enough to stop this powerful gelding going in again. He had some good form in France, and with the ground to suit again today he should be very high on anyone's shortlist. Risk Runner appears to be the main danger based on his comfortable win on his penultimate start. However, the application of blinkers failed to work a second time when soundly beaten at Cheltenham, and whilst this track and small field should suit, we will take him on today. First Slip has been huge prices on his two hurdles runs to date, and whilst he may improve for those runs, he should be better in time over fences so cannot be fancied today. Vial De Kerdec fell very early on on his British hurdles debut so he is an unknown factor and the ex-French flat performer should be watched in the market, but for the winner we will gladly return to Phillip Hobbs' exciting prospect Pancake.
Pancake (FR) 6-1 (10-12) Pressed leader, led 3 out, stayed on strongly, driven out, won at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec beating Zilcash (10-12) by 2l, 16 ran.
Risk Runner (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Led, stumbled badly and headed soon after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 12, 30l behind Katchit (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) sft in Dec.
First Slip 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 5th of 11, 38l behind Pauillac (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) hvy.
Vial De Kerdec (FR) 16-1 (10-7) Badly hampered and fell in race won by Oslot (11-6) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec, 12 ran.
