raced keenly, tracked leading pair, joined leader on inside 5th, every chance 3 out, kept on until driven and lost place between last 2, 3rd and beaten when not fluent last, lost 3rd near finish
with leader, led briefly after 3rd, lost place after 4 out, soon driven, kept on same pace from next, well held 4th when mistake last, went 3rd near finish, no chance with leading pair
led narrowly, pushed along when headed briefly after 3rd, ridden and hard pressed from 3 out, headed flat, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
held up 4th in touch, tracked leading pair going well after 4 out, challenged on bit approaching last, led flat, soon clear, unextended
This may not be as straightforward as the figures imply for DUNRAVEN STORM, but Philip Hobbs' charge is still likely to take the beating and can account for main rival Toubab. The latter is described as 'one of the best maidens in training' by his handler and that seems a fair comment, given that he took fourth in the Swinton Hurdle as a novice having previously given Triumph Hurdle winner Soldatino a race at Kempton. He's expected to have a good season and rightly so, but Dunraven Storm has already earned a rating of 150 having won a pair of novices at Exeter at Ascot. The latter contest perhaps wasn't as strong as the grade suggests but his latest second to Cue Card will surely prove to be rock-solid and he can get back to winning ways. Drill Sergeant may progress beyond Pure Faith in time given his achievements on the flat but the aforementioned pair should dominate today.
Dunraven Storm (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Chased clear leader, close up 3rd, led 3 out, joined and hit 2 out, ridden and headed between last 2, no chance with impressive winner, clear 2nd best, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Cue Card (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd.
Pure Faith (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Made all, ridden and clear when not fluent last, kept on well and edged left run-in, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs beating Bridlingtonbygones (10-12) by 8l, 12 ran.
Drill Sergeant 11-10fav (11-5) Led and soon clear, reluctant to race on bend passing paddock exit and stables after 3rd, headed, stopped to hack canter and dropped to last, got going again and prominent next, led after 6th, not fluent 2 out, driven out, won at Haydock 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Brother Bob (10-12) by 1l, 13 ran.
Toubab (FR) 16-1 (10-3) Held up mid-division, headway 5th, every chance 2 out, ridden approaching last, weakened flat, 4th of 23, 7l behind Eradicate (10-1) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in May.
Laterly (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Prominent, ridden to chase leaders approaching 3 out, no extra after last, 4th of 16, 7l behind West With The Wind (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec '08.
