tracked leader until 7th, soon in rear, ridden 10th, pulled up 2 out
led, headed 7th, prominent, stumbled on landing 11th, pulled up 2 out
close up, led 4 out, ridden clear approaching last, comfortable
held up, outpaced from 4 out, jumped slow 2 out
prominent, led 7th, headed 4 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
GUS MACRAE usually runs at a much higher level than this and was successful over course and distance the last time he appeared in this grade. He can lose interest if getting behind but that shouldn't be the case here. Perfect Candidate is still a maiden over fences, as are Oscatara and the mare Faustina Pius, but O'Callaghan Strand has won four times over the larger obstacles and is back on a winning mark.
Gus Macrae (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Always in rear, tailed off 5 out, 5th of 7, well behind Parsnip Pete (11-9) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
Oscatara (IRE) 7-4 (11-12) Led, switched right before last, soon ridden and headed, stayed on same pace final 150 yards, 3rd of 4, 4l behind Morgan's Bay (11-0) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Oct.
Perfect Candidate (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Behind, ridden before 4 out, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 30l behind Court By Surprise (11-11) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Oct.
O'callaghan Strand (AUS) 10-1 (11-12) Led, headed 3 out, lost 3rd place from last, one pace, 4th of 6, 18l behind Alanjou (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Oct.
Faustina Pius (IRE) 28-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, went 2nd 2 out until last, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Cody Wyoming (10-9) at Stratford 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Oct.