close up in rear, went 4th 4 out, ridden 2 out, no impression and lost 3rd flat
led, pushed along and headed 3 out, soon ridden and dropped to last next, rallied to go 3rd flat
tracked leaders, pressed leader 3 out, led approaching next, ridden out
tracked leader, led 3 out, ridden and headed approaching next, stayed on one pace
tracked leaders,pushed along and dropped to rear 4 out, rallied 2 out, weakened flat
Bryden Boy is upped in class off a higher mark after scoring at Sedgefield while Same Circus won at Aintree in October but could only manage fifth in a mares only contest at Ascot last time. Maiden hurdle winner Victory Echo goes handicapping for the first time but Doc Penfro has yet to win anywhere and it could pay to stick with the consistent JUSTATENNER. The latter returned to winning ways back on soft going at Ayr last month and Tristan Davidson’s charge should be bang there at the finish again.
Justatenner 5-2fav (11-5) Held up in rear, headway on outside after 4 out, led narrowly next, ridden after last, stayed on well flat, won at Ayr 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Planet Nine (11-9) by 2l, 6 ran.
Same Circus (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Led, driven 3 out, headed before next, rallied last, stayed on gamely, 5th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Coillte Eile (10-10) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Doc Penfro 6-1 (11-6) Held up in last pair, headway before 2 out, ridden and outpaced between last 2, challenging for well held 2nd when blundered badly last, no chance after, 4th of 8, 19 1/2l behind Happygolucky (11-6) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Bryden Boy (IRE) 11-8fav (11-11) Prominent in chasing group, hit 3rd, went 3rd at 6th, left in 2nd place before 4 out, closer 3 out, led on bit next, soon clear, very easily, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (4) sft in Nov beating The Model County (10-0) by dist, 5 ran.
Victory Echo (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Pressed leader, driven and lost place before 2 out, soon beaten, lost modest 4th flat, 5th of 8, 17 1/4l behind Prince Kayf (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 6f (2) hvy in Nov.