Very little strength in depth to this novice hurdle - with the favourite not running his race and his three most likely market rivals withdrawn, it turned out a poor contest. MY TRUE ROMANCE had shown a little ability in NH Flat races and defied a layoff to make a successful hurdling debut, staying on to lead near the finish on the inside. What she achieved is open to doubt, but she should improve.

Classic Calvados was also coming back from a spell on the sidelines and ran well, just losing out in a driving finish, though he had looked exposed as modest before his time off.

Present Oriented showed a good deal more than on his hurdling debut, leading from the off but edging right on the run-in and just caught.

Wetherby winner Guerilla drifted in the betting and was well below that form, probably not helped by being ridden off the pace on this drop intrip in a contest - like many here - dominated by those who raced prominently. He made headway from the fifth but never reached the leaders and was eased when beaten approaching the last. Connections blamed the ground, though he had shaped well on going a good deal softer than the official description at Sedgefield first time out and also had form on the soft in Australia. He had looked promising previously and remains one to keep an eye on in modest company.

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