Riders in the first reported the hurdles track to be good to soft and tacky. This was an interesting maiden hurdle with which to open the card, run at a sound pace.

ROSECLIFF had been in front too far out at Fontwell but made no mistake here witha very fluent victory. He jumped nicely and may be up to tackling better things, although his appetite for a fight has been questioned in the past. The Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap at the Festival is a possibility depending on the handicapper's reaction.

Call Oscar was attempting to concede 12lb to the favourite and ran a sound race in the circumstances. This chasing type hung slightly on the home turn and was no match for the winner in the end, flattered to get within two and a half lengths, but his turn should come.

Smart Flat performer Wellbeing, runner-up on his only previous hurdles run 13 months ago, had every chance but could not find a change of gear. An ordinary race should come his way, perhaps over further.

Blaeberry was a real eye-catcher back in fourth. The mare, who seemed to resent being anchored in the rear, was given a good deal to do and never looked like getting near the leaders, although she did keep on in a taking manner from the second last. The Stewards enquired into her running and riding. Marcus Foley stated that his instructions were to drop the mare in and get her switched off as she had been very keen in her previous races. He added that Blaeberry had again run keenly in the early stages before getting outpaced when the leaders quickened in the back straight, and her trainer Emma Lavelle confirmed these instructions, adding that the mare is a difficult ride who needs to learn to settle. Having viewed the video recording of the race, and having received a report from the vet and heard the observations of the Handicapper, the Stewards noted these explanations.

Oliver Sherwood reported that Creinch finished distressed.

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