Robert The Brave tracked leaders, led 3 out, stayed on well run-in, driven out

Mutual Friend tracked leaders, challenged last, soon ridden, hung left and no extra

Benmore Boy hampered 1st, took keen hold, went prominent 6th, upsides when mistake last, edged left and soon weakened

Desert Stag tracked leaders, one pace from 3 out

Still At Lunch left in lead 1st, headed 3 out, soon outpaced

Deadline chased leaders, weakened 2 out

Alto Stratus chased leaders, weakened 3 out

Giovanni D´Oro took keen hold in rear, mistake 5th, weakened after 7th

Indigo Dancer in rear, behind from 7th

Sleep Talk not fluent, soon behind, hampered by loose horse approaching 5th

Karinga King mid-division, effort 7th, soon weakened

Musical Affair hampered 1st, in rear, some headway 7th, weakened approaching next, soon behind

Devils Bridge not jump well, in rear division, behind from 7th

Saddlers´ Gait not jump well, in rear, behind from 3rd, hampered by loose horse approaching 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out

Desert Lover led, tried to refuse, swerved badly, unseated rider then fell 1st

An average novice. ROBERT THE BRAVE, who had won three times on the all-weather last year but had struggled on the Flat this, was having only his second run over hurdles. He had been well-beaten on soft ground at Warwick last year, but this better going was evidently much more to his liking and, though his jumping was novicey early on, it improved markedly as the race developed and he won in the style of a horse who can find more races this summer.

Mutual Friend, a winner at Aintree last time but a horse who has not always put it all in, was always playing second fiddle to the winner in the closing stages and did not help his chances by going left under pressure after the last.

Benmore Boy, who had won a moderate race at Towcester last time, was hampered early here, but recovered quickly and his rider was happy to bide his time. He was produced on the outside in the straight and had every chance approaching the last, but Robert The Brave was quicker away from that flight and Benmore Boycould not sustain his challenge on the run-in.

Musselburgh bumper winner Still At Lunch set just a fair pace, but he was left behind by the principals in the straight. However, he should be all the better for this first run in six months.

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