tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 3 out, faded approaching last
led, headed 4th, ridden and lost place 10th, soon behind
tracked leader, led 4th, headed 12th, ridden next, kept on well under pressure from 2 out to take 2nd after last
held up, hit 3 and 5, chasing leaders 3 out, weakening when hit 2 out
held up, headway to track leaders 6th, led 12th, driven 2 out, in command when idled run-in
held up rear, pecked 7th, soon tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
in touch, hit 4th, mistake 7th, ridden 12th, plugged on for poor 4th
This could certainly have been a stronger contest given the prize money on offer and we will take Bishop's Bridge to complete a hat-trick at the main expense of Turgeonev, Briscoe Place and Wiscalitus. The selection is clearly in cracking form after wins at Exeter and Fontwell of late, and he is not yet fully exposed, which is more than we can say for many of these. He is gutsy and gives the impression he can still find enough improvement to defy a 4lb rise here. Turgeonev is fully 19lb lower than his highest winning mark here and makes some appeal on that basis. This is also his trip and he won't mind the ground, but he is clearly on the wane and we will oppose. Briscoe Place will relish conditions and trip and this is easier than when he was thrashed in Listed company last time, so he should give a good account, while Wiscalitus has ability and is tried over this trip for the first time. On the face of it he might struggle to get home, and all will be revealed, though our preference is for Bishop's Bridge.
Briscoe Place (IRE) 15-2 (10-8) Chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 6, 30l behind Crossbow Creek (11-12) at Ascot 2m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gf in Oct.
Another Joker 10-1 (11-4) Led, headed 4 out, weakened next and pulled up 3 out in race won by Kings Brook (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Sept, 10 ran.
Turgeonev (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Prominent, led 5th, ridden 3 out, headed close home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Abragante (11-1) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Wiscalitus (GER) 14-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, led 10th, hit and headed 3 out, not quicken flat, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Tora Bora (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd.
Bishop's Bridge (IRE) 6-4fav (11-8) In touch, hit 2nd, led after 4 out, hard ridden and hung left final 75 yards, just held on, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd beating Allumee (11-9) by a hd, 8 ran.
Smokey Mountain (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden to chase leading pair before 2 out, 3rd and beaten when jumped left last, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Alrafid (11-6) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
King Coal (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, led 2 out, headed run-in, no extra, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Ice Melted (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Oct.
Matthew Muroto (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up, driven along 12th, effort after 14th, weakened 4 out, 4th of 11, 24l behind Red Echo (10-4) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Jun.
