The outsider of three, The Vollan won his fourth chase of the season under Brian Hughes.
THE VOLLAN bounced back to form after running flat over slightly further at Cartmel 34 days beforehand. His jumping was lower and quicker than his sole remaining rival as the race developed in earnest. The 8yo was registering a career-best effort over fences. His considerably lower hurdles rating may prove too temping to ignore for too much longer.
On going that was perhaps a touch on the easy side for him, Clear The Runway was the impressive winner of the most valuable race on the card at Worcester. Expertly ridden by Champion Jockey, Brian Hughes.
CLEAR THE RUNWAY returning from a 105-day break, has thrived in cheekpieces this year but added a seventh success with that headgear left off, readily defying a mark 37lb higher than his initial success in February. This would have been as soft as he would want it but he's still progressing so there's every chance he'll remain competitive. QUOTES: I took the tongue-tie off CLEAR THE RUNWAY and he's flown since. He's settled into our routine and has thrived. It's been great. I'm not too sure where we'll go, I gave him a break thinking he could go all the way through the winter but I'm a bit put off as Brian [Hughes] said that's as soft as he wants it - Laura Morgan, trainer.
Giving upwards of 10 lbs to his rivals, Illusion Of Time retained his unbeaten record with a smooth win under a penalty at Perth.
ILLUSION OF TIME displayed a likeable attitude when repelling a previous winner on debut at Stratford, and was untroubled in defying the penalty. He wouldn't be an obvious candidate for hurdling - dam was a 7f Group 3 winner - but, he clearly possesses ability, and has made the perfect start to his racing career.
Enjoying the good ground, Lake Shore Drive won a shade cosily under a well timed ride from Brian Hughes.
LAKE SHORE DRIVE, who has enjoyed a productive year, was only narrowly denied on debut for this trainer at Worcester. He rectified matters here under the champion jockey Brian Hughes by keeping-on strongest of all from the final flight to score with a little in hand. Evidently a sound racing surface suits best.
With the visor back on and returning to fences, Friary Rock won a shade comfortably under a fine ride from Champion jockey Brian Hughes.
FRIARY ROCK, a winner over fences in Ireland last summer, had run his best race for Laura Morgan over hurdles at Southwell last month (with the visor back on). He built upon that improved effort back over fences with a convincing win, and should continue to fare well from what is a workable handicap mark.
The Vollan continues to defy the handicapper, under another fine ride from Adam Wedge. He cruised into the lead in the home straight and won a shade comfortably.
THE VOLLAN really put his stamp on the race in the straight, making it three wins in his last four and defying a 9lb rise in the process. This ground suits him ideally but he'll need to continue to progress to defy a mark likely to be in the 120s.
Given a very mature and sensible ride by young conditional Lewis Dobb, Illusion of Time made an impressive winning debut in the Bumper at Stratford, beating a previous winner in the process.
Given a very mature and sensible ride by young conditional Lewis Dobb, Illusion of Time made an impressive winning debut in the Bumper at Stratford, beating a previous winner in the process.
Patiently ridden by Adam Wedge, The Vollan continued his good run of form by cruising into the lead round the home turn and winning comfortably.
THE VOLLAN got badly hampered when a clear second off this mark at Hexham eight days earlier but avoided trouble on this occasion to repeat his C&D win from earlier in the month with ease. He's been competitive off higher marks over hurdles so remains with some scope over fences, with his stable in cracking form.
Making all the running under Adam Wedge, Tardree won his first race over Hurdles as an Odds On shot should, very comfortably.
TARDREE, not beaten far into second on his last two starts, was handed a simple task when the overnight odds-on market leader was taken out during the morning, and the 8yo got it done in the style the market suggested he would, securing a first win as a hurdler.
Reverting to Hurdles, Licklighter who is a useful Chaser, made all the running under Adam Wedge to win very comfortably.
LICKLIGHTER had a sound chance on his chase form, but his latest hurdles effort was disappointing. He was back to form here, and having dictated the gallop in modestly-run affair won without being asked a serious question. In this sort of form he can follow up with a penalty.
