tracked leading pair, went 2nd going well inside final 3f, led just inside final 2f, driven and headed over 1f out, stayed on same final furlong
led ridden and headed just inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out
ran in snatches, close up, pushed along at various stages, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
chased leader, challenged 2f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong
held up, pushed along 4f out, soon struggling
held up in rear, effort and ridden on wide outside 5f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, until dropped to last halfway, behind after, tailed off
Brandy Butter has shown improved form of late over hurdles and has to be considered now returned to the flat but David Pipe's gelding has yet to even be placed on the level from six starts and he looks best left out of calculations in a contest taken to go to IRISH LEGEND, who is preferred to Brave Bugsy. Andrew Balding's gelding ran well when finishing second to Willies Way over hurdles at Southwell when last seen in August and he has to be respected back on the level off only a 3lb higher mark than when scoring over and course and distance in July on his most recent outing on the flat. Poppy Gregg is another that ran well over hurdles on his most recent start but she remains a maiden under all codes and looks booked for a place at best. Harry Dunlop's Wightgold looks to be going the right way and should be winning before too long but a better bet today may be John Llewellyn's Irish Legend, who has not raced on the flat for some time but has shown much improved form over hurdles and fences over the last couple of years and he looks worth chancing off what seems a decent mark on his return to the level.
Wightgold 10-1 (8-4) Took keen hold in 4th, 3rd 9f out, chased winner 6f out until well inside final furlong, no extra close home, 4th of 6, 4l behind Callisto Moon (9-12) at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Brave Bugsy (IRE) 11-4fav (8-5) Dwelt, pushed along briefly leaving stalls, held up, headway over 6f out, ridden to over 2f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jul beating Star Of Pompey (8-10) by nk, 8 ran.
Brandy Butter 33-1 (8-13) Led 4f, remained prominent, lost place over 7f out, last of 7, well behind Russian Music (9-13) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan.
Spiritonthemount (USA) 28-1 (8-13) Prominent early, chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 14, 21l behind Cold Turkey (9-11) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Irish Legend (IRE) 9-2fav (8-5) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, not reached leaders, 7th of 14, 8l behind Tagula Blue (9-9) at Warwick 2m hcap (5) sft in Aug '08.
Poppy Gregg 7-1 (8-5) Slightly hampered start, held up in rear, ridden over 4f out, wide entering straight, stayed on from 2f out, never dangerous, 5th of 14, 12l behind Cold Turkey (9-11) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Bristol Delauriere (FR) 80-1 (9-7) Dwelt, in touch, disputed 2nd 8f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 4, 28l behind Oscar Close (9-9) at Leicester 1m 4f mdn stks (5) sft in Apr.
