in touch, ridden and outpaced 3 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on well under pressure to lead flat
led, ridden and headed between last 2, no extra flat
held up, headway 4 out, led going well between last 2, ridden and headed flat, no extra
hit 1st, in touch, outpaced 5 out, soon ridden and no impression
held up, outpaced 8th, never dangerous
tracked leader, driven and effort 2 out, ridden and weakened after last
held up, hit 6th, soon ridden, never on terms
Wet Lips has conditions in his favour and can pay to follow ahead of Enzo de Baune and Jefertiti. With the ground on the fast side of good, Wet Lips should be a leading player here as he bids to get back to winning ways. The seven-year-old was put back over hurdles on a return from a break a fortnight ago, and not surprisingly finished down the field, but he will be a different kettle of fish now back over the bigger obstacles, and a mark of 119 does not appear too prohibitive. He makes more appeal than stablemate Bills Echo, and a bigger danger may well be Enzo de Baune. Geoff Harker's eight-year-old performed well in good company last year but has paid the penalty by creeping up the weights, so rising star William Kennedy's five-pound allowance will be a big help. Malcolm Jefferson sent out Stamparland Hill to land the spoils 12 months ago, but his runner here Ceannairceach does not make much appeal. Jefertiti is worth a mention at least after his second at Perth and this stiff track may bring out the best in him off what is a light weight, but Wet Lips is the call.
Bill's Echo 11-2 (10-9) Blundered badly and unseated rider in race won by Magic Sky (11-2) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gf itoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gf in Sept.
Brave Effect (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Led, ridden and headed after 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 5th of 11, 27l behind Now Then Sid (10-3) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Sept.
Enzo de Baune (FR) 4-1 (11-5) Made most, until blundered and headed 3 out, no extra from next, 4th of 6, 27l behind Moscow Dancer (10-nce with winner, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Gone Too Far (11-9) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gs in Sept.