Hurlerontheditch was clear when falling at the last at Warwick but has been raised 10lb. Confidence may need to be restored, though he is getting 14lb from the Chepstow winner The King Of Ryhope. HAPPY AND FINE wasn’t given a hard time when third at Wetherby and has been dropped a pound since, despite having conditions in his favour again. Intense Raffles is having a first run in this country but Blue Fin came up against a nice prospect at Carlisle and wasn’t disgraced.
The King Of Ryhope 5-1 (11-13) Held up off the pace towards rear, steady headway out wide chasing leaders before 3 out, went 2nd between last two, led last, driven out, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Oct beating Can You Call (11-9) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Hurlerontheditch (IRE) 11-4fav (11-6) Led, mostly jumped well but slightly right, steadily drew clear from 13th, going well and 25 lengths clear when stumbled on landing and fell last, at Warwick 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Happy And Fine (FR) 17-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out and went 3rd, soon ridden and stayed on same pace, 3rd of 13, 6 3/4l behind The Edgar Wallace (12-0) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Blue Fin (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Keen close up, tracked leaders 3 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Trelawne (11-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Intense Raffles (FR) (11-9) 5th of 7, 21 1/2l behind Imoona De Belair (10-12) at Auteuil 2m 6f hvy in Nov.
