EXETER 14:35

All 9 ran. Hurdles: 9.

Time: 4m 34.6s Closing Sectional: (2.51f): 40.4s (89.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 118%, Betfair SP 99.9%

With a couple departing late on and a few others failing to fire this didn't take the winning it might've; the hard-pulling Risk A Fine ensured a sound gallop.

PARTY PALACE fit from the Flat, bounced back to form to take advantage of a slipping mark, seen to something like best effect given how things unfolded; tracked pace, travelled fluently, lost place slightly home turn but stayed on again to lead soon after 2 out, driven clear; unlikely to find things panning out so favourably next time.

RISK A FINE (IRE) hadn't been shaping as if a step up in trip would suit but handled it no problem, actually faring much better than on his last couple of runs; led, typically pulled hard, tackled from home turn, headed approaching 3 out, kept on.

SINNDAR'S MAN was fitted with first-time blinkers and back on better ground after a 3-month break, all of which gave hope for a better showing, but failed to meet expectations, seeming rather half-hearted; handy, challenged home turn, lost place approaching 3 out and merely plugged on.

QUICK DECISSON (IRE) back over hurdles having failed to convince as a chaser, again ran below form; mid-field, progress approaching home turn, driven 3 out, no extra next.

OHIO GOLD (IRE) back over hurdles for the first time in over 3 years, may just have been having a confidence-booster after a heavy fall over fences last time, though given things didn't go smoothly it remains to be seen whether or not this has the desired effect; mid-division, blundered fourth (rider lost right iron) and soon beaten.

CHEMISTRY MASTER fared no better than last time; in rear, labouring badly after 4 out, never on terms.

HAWKHILL (IRE) back down in trip, looked back on song, following suit with his yard as a whole, and was all set to go close when coming to grief (hit 1.46 in running); in touch, travelled better than most, headway after home turn and had just hit the front when fell heavily 3 out; capable of gaining compensation if none the worse for this, though perhaps wouldn't want turning out quickly.

CHESIL BEACH BOY refitted with visor, was in the process of running at least creditably when departing in unusual circumstances, jinking violently left entering the straight as he approached the starter's platform which protruded some way across the course; held up, pushed along after 4 out, in touch and keeping on when unseated rider before next, likely to have finished in the frame; hasn't won for over 3 years yet remains above his last winning mark.

MASSANNIE (IRE) fared no better on first outing since leaving David Pipe after 6 months off, looking increasingly temperamental; led-in at start, in rear, went in snatches, lost touch soon after fourth, pulled up before 3 out, downed tools.