Progressive Rouge Vif dominates good-looking maiden hurdle

The market suggested the 1m7½f maiden hurdle would be a three-horse contest and it proved to be so.

Yet few would have predicted the domination of the Harry Whittington-trained Rouge Vif, who made every yard to win eased down under Gavin Sheehan, and proved far too good for two well-touted novices in shape of Oakley and Bold Plan who were left toiling ten lengths behind.

In the colours of Andrew Brooks, those carried by top two-mile chaser Saint Calvados, the style of Rouge Vif's performance was indeed akin to that of his classy stablemate and key protagonist in this weekend's Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown.