Ordinary bumper form, but PANGBOURNE and Theatre Dance pulled well clear and look potentially fair hurdling prospects. A far from straightforward character on the evidence of his debut effort at Warwick when reluctant to race, the headgear brought a vastly improved effort from Pangbourne at Wincanton last month and again had the desired effect here. Having chased the clear early leader, he and the runner-up began to draw clear, but he was demoted to second starting the turn into the straight with Theatre Dance quickening into the lead. He stuck to the task, though, and, despite looking awkward under pressure, was driven to regain the lead close home. Sure to stay further once hurdling, he has plenty of ability and is a nice prospect.

Theatre Dance, a keeping-on second in a course-and-distance bumper on his debut on Boxing Day, looked set to go one better turning in, but the winner was too strong in the finish. He can win in this sphere before going hurdling.

Maryscross, a winning point-to-pointer who ran well behind Theatre Dance on his debut at the course on Boxing Day, again shaped promisingly, but she was toiling in the straight and may find life easier in mares' races.

Earn A Buck, who has some Flat speed in her pedigree, is probably the other one to take from the race, having ran a little better than her finishing position suggests on this debut.

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