FONTWELL PARK 14:45

All 8 ran. Hurdles: 10.

Time: 5m 19.7s Closing Sectional: (4.3f): 71.4s (100.2%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 112%, Betfair SP 99.6%

With the least exposed pair coming to the fore there's reason to be positive about this form, especially as it was a truly-run affair; being kept wide did seem an advantage, however, and the third probably did well with that in mind.

DE RASHER COUNTER looked on a stiff enough mark on novice form but was less exposed than most and showed improved form to open his hurdles account on handicap debut, coping really well with the very testing ground (also won a bumper on heavy); raced wide, in touch, travelled strongly, went handy 4 out, led on bridle after next, ridden out; he's earnt a crack at a more valuable handicap next.

MORIANOUR (FR) was presumably fitter for reappearance and showed improved form, beaten only by another unexposed sort and shaping as if ahead of his own mark; raced wide, patiently ridden, travelled strongly, steady headway after 4 out, chased leader 2 out, mistake last, one paced, pulled clear of remainder; a slight rise in the weights won't stop him from being competitive again.

MINELLA ON LINE (IRE) stepped up on reappearance run despite finding this a barely adequate test dropped right back in trip; raced along inside, chased leaders, made mistakes, outpaced 3 out, rallied next, kept on; he could take advantage of this lower hurdles mark back around 3m.

CHRIS PEA GREEN back over hurdles, has slipped a long way in the weights and at least ran better than for a while to show he retains some ability, if clearly not the force of old; raced wide, close up, took strong hold, outpaced after 3 out, plugged on; he's long since had some quirks and is belatedly worth trying in headgear.

HIT THE HIGHWAY (IRE) who was back in a tongue strap (wore once before), was in the mix most of the way but ultimately below form and hasn't matched let alone built on his good effort at Warwick in November; led until after 3 out, hit next, no extra run-in.

ALPHA INDI (IRE) failed to come on for recent run, though is unproven on such testing ground; in touch, lost place early final circuit, beaten soon after 3 out.

DRUID'S FOLLY (IRE) continues to fall in the weights without showing any sign of taking advantage; struggling 4 out, always behind.

TIKKEN AWAY (IRE) making handicap debut, ran no sort of race, possibly unsuited by such testing conditions; tracked pace, ridden when mistake 3 out, soon done with, tailed off.