waited with in 5th, closed to tracked leaders 4 out, challenged between horses to lead last, ran on well, ridden out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, every chance when went left 2 out, went left again last, kept on run-in, went 2nd close home, not reach winner
led until blundered badly 1st, tracked leader, led again 3rd, headed approaching 2 out, weakened soon after
tracked leaders, mistake 8th, 4th and held when blundered last, weakened
tracked leader, led 1st until 3rd, led again on inside approaching 2 out, headed last, kept on run-in but lost 2nd close home
NonRunner
Only half of this field have raced over fences before. French import Dustin Des Mottes may be the best of those, ahead of the four-year-old Risk And Roll and Azzerti, but a switch to fences should suit BRIANSTORM. Now with Venetia Williams, he will have found the going too quick in a pipe-opener here over hurdles and was a decent novice hurdler last season. Gortroe Joe has point-to-point and hurdling experience so can’t be ignored but the lack of a recent run would be a concern for Loves Destination.
Azzerti (FR) 12-1 (11-1) In touch, headway 10th, ridden 3 out to chased winner briefly , kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Wenyerreadyfreddie (11-6) at Ascot 2m 3f (3) gd in Nov.
Dustin Des Mottes (FR) 10-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, lost remote 3rd next, left in that position at the last, 3rd of 7, 21 1/2l behind Knocknanuss (11-2) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Brianstorm (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 17l behind Jolly's Cracked It (11-12) at Ascot 2m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Risk And Roll (FR) 12-1 (10-12) In touch, outpaced 9th, stayed on approaching last, never able to challenge, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Siruh Du Lac (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Gortroe Joe (IRE) 2-1 (11-4) Jumped right, led, not fluent 5th, hard pressed 2 out, soon ridden, headed flat, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Court Royale (10-12) at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Loves Destination 8-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, weakened quickly before next, soon lost touch, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Kempton 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Apr.