TAUNTON 14:30 s6y58

All 8 ran. Hurdles: 9. Race Distance Adjustment: +102 yds

Time: 4m 19.9s Closing Sectional: (4.85f): 71.5s (104.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 114%, Betfair SP 100.6%

A good-quality handicap hurdle with last year's Betfair Hurdle winner just edged out by his better-than-ever stablemate, the unexposed pair that followed them home shaping well on the back of absences; Totterdown - who raced a little clear - set a reasonable early gallop that steadied down the back.

ROCKADENN (FR) second to his now-stablemate Sir Psycho in the Victor Ludorum on his only previous start over hurdles in Britain, showed improved form to get off the mark on these shores, putting the show of temperament he displayed over fences last time well behind him, battling well to come home in front; held up, took strong hold, took closer order third, chased leader from fourth, led briefly early in straight, looked held briefly 2 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on to lead close home; a return to further will suit.

PIC D'ORHY (FR) who'd had a breathing operation since a disappointing spell over fences, won the Betfair Hurdle when last seen in this sphere and more than matched that effort after 10 weeks off, every chance a better jump at the last would have seen him come home in front; raced wide, held up, not fluent fifth, headway from next, led on bridle before 2 out, looked in control briefly there, tackled approaching last, not fluent there, edged out close home.

KING ROLAND (IRE) back over hurdles after 4 months off, shaped well with a view to going back over further, unable to match the Nicholls pair for a turn of foot having got into contention with ease; in rear, smooth headway on inner home turn, outpaced before 2 out, not fluent last, kept on again flat.

MASTERS LEGACY (IRE) making handicap debut, shaped encouragingly after 14 months off, his opening mark high enough but the absence probably more a factor in his emptying, well worth another chance with this under his belt; in touch, travelled well, led 3 out, headed early in straight, weakened after 2 out.

TOTTERDOWN after 8 weeks off, had the cheekpieces left off but shaped similarly to last time; led, raced freely, clear after second, reduced advantage 4 out, headed next, weakened entering straight; he'll perhaps settle better if/once reunited with Brennan.

RIVER BRAY (IRE) rather predictably wasn't in the same form as last time pitched into a much deeper race; chased leaders, took strong hold, weakened after 3 out.

GETAWAY FRED (IRE) back over hurdles, was beaten by more than the drop in trip after 10 weeks off, yet to really get going this season, very much in line with his yard in general; chased leaders early, settled mid-field from third, labouring after 3 out.

PINSON DU RHEU (FR) back over hurdles after 3 months off, fared no better than he had on stable/British debut having undergone a breathing operation in the meantime; mid-division, weakened 4 out, pulled up after next.