Plenty of stamina was undoubtedly the key ingredient needed to shine in this novices' hurdle, run in testing conditions, so it was no surprise to see them go at a pedestrian pace early on.

KILDONNAN has posted a couple of solid efforts to finish second over shorter than this at Chepstow, and a repeat of the held up tactics employed last time, worked the oracle here. After travelling well in mid division, he made headway two out and was switched to the rails to make the most of the better ground in the home straight. He was still full of running passing the post and was eased at the line.

Finsbury Fred again showed a tendency to hang to his left, while early leader Irish Raptor - although finishing more prominently than he has done on his previous starts - will need to get his jumping together if he is to trouble the judge.

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