raced keenly, made all, awkward 6th, hit next, came clear approaching 2 out, eased run-in, unchallenged
tended to jump left, chased (easy) winner, awkward 8th, pushed along after 3 out, soon hung left, eased when no chance after 2 out
always last, outpaced 5th, lost touch 7th, soon tailed off
VIOLET DANCER won the Grade 3 Betfair Hurdle at Newbury in February and made a successful start over fences at Towcester last month. He stepped up in trip when attempting to make all on his next start here and only succumbed to the odds-on Le Mercurey in the closing stages, form that should be far too good for his two rivals here. Exitas is a useful hurdler who completed a hat-trick at Sandown at this time a year ago. He was badly impeded on his chasing bow at Leicester and should be winning races over fences this season. Myoran Oscar has done well in point-to-points but faces a very stiff task on his chasing debut.
Violet Dancer 5-1 (11-6) Led, hit 5th, clear when hit 7th, reduced lead 9th, pushed along before 2 out, headed last, eased when held run-in, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Le Mercurey (11-1) at Plumpton 2m 4f (3) sft in Nov.
Exitas (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, left 3rd after 5 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 4, dist behind Red Spinner (11-0) at Leicester 2m (3) gf in Nov.
Myoran Oscar (IRE) 4-5 (12-0) (tt) held up; hdwy 14; one pce 3 out, 3rd of 10, 7 3/4l behind Prince Eleanor (12-0) at Lower Machen 3m gd in May.
