made all, strongly challenged 4 out, hard ridden approaching 2 out, hard pressed from last, stayed on well under pressure
tracked leaders, travelling well when mistake 3 out, weakened next
with leader, not fluent 2nd, soon chasing leaders, jumped slowly 5th, challenging when mistake 4 out, rallied 2 out, every chance last, kept on well towards finish
tracked leaders, jumped well until weakening when mistake 11th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
Nonrunner
AS DE FER won a novice event at Ffos Las before landing a handicap at Exeter a fortnight ago. This longer trip will play to his strengths and a hat trick looks a distinct possibility back in novice company. Sarando ran out an easy winner at Plumpton last month and looks to have every chance on only his third start over the larger obstacles, while Fruity O'Rooney won over these fences back in October and has been placed on his last three outings. It's likely we haven't seen the best of Lord Ragnar or Pouvoir over fences yet but they both have bit more to find if they are to compete with the principals here.
Fruity O'Rooney 5-4fav (11-4) Raced on inside, hit 1st, pressed winner, narrow lead 10th, kept slight advantage and driven before 2 out, joined last, headed soon after, no extra flat, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Alderluck (10-12) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov chs (3) hvy.
Pouvoir (FR) 6-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 20l behind Robinson Collonges (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
Sarando 6-1 (10-12) Led to 4th, tracked leader, led again narrowly after 8th, ridden and 1 length clear when stumbled and pecked 2 out, driven clear approaching last, kept on well, won at Plumpton 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Jan beating Ranjobaie (10-12) by 12l, 4 ran.
Rockoboy (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) in a race won by Kipper (12-0) at Bruff 3m ire ptp sft in Mar '06, 17 ran.
As De Fer (FR) 6-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, led approaching 4 out, soon strongly challenged, stayed on well, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft beating Requin (11-2) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Lord Ragnar (IRE) 6-5fav (10-12) Held up in touch, tracked leaders 9th, ridden to challenge after 3 out, soon hung left, hard ridden approaching last, no extra flat, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Massini Man (10-11) at Ffos Las 3m nov chs (3) gs.
