held up towards rear and keen, effort 4 out, never dangerous
towards rear, headway before 6 out, ridden and in 3rd before 4 out, weakened from 2 out
tracked leader, led 11th, headed 3 out, regained lead before last, headed last, kept on same pace
tracked leaders in 3rd, challenged 5 out, led 3 out, headed before last, soon weakened
always behind
always towards rear
in touch, went 3rd before 4 out, ridden to lead last, kept on well
led to 11th, ridden before 3 out, one pace
mid-division, weakened from 4 out
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
Benzel got no further than the first when attempting to repeat an earlier success at Southwell. He remains 8lb higher while Basford Ben has gone up 7lb for winning over track and trip back in May. Morney Wing went close at Fakenham in the same month and Nakadam won over today’s trip at Kelso in April but WHATS UP WOODY has the most recent form after landing a double at Perth in September – he was beaten less than a length at Hexham last time. George Bewley’s charge may come out best in this in his current frame of mind.
Benzel (IRE) 11-4fav (11-3) Held up, blundered and unseated rider 1st, at Warwick 3m hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Morney Wing (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Mid-division, closed 4th, jumped slowly 11th, challenged last, every chance flat, stayed on, held close home, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Rebeccas Choice (11-2) at Fakenham 3m 5f hcp (3) gd in May.
Harry The Viking 12-1 (11-10) Ran in snatches and many positions, outpaced 3 out, well beaten from next, 7th of 11, 12 3/4l behind Rebeccas Choice (11-2) at Fakenham 3m 5f hcp (3) gd in May.
Whats Up Woody (IRE) 5-1 (12-5) Tracked leader, led after 2nd, jumped right 9th, hard pressed last, soon ridden, kept on until headed and no extra closing stages, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Formidableopponent (10-1) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Voyage A New York (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 13th, close up when not much room just after 3 out, soon switched right, 3rd and one pace last, 3rd of 12, 6 1/4l behind Mia's Anthem (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Jun.
Lord Brendy 17-2 (11-0) Held up, headway from 13th, blundered 15th, outpaced 4 out, no impression after, went 4th flat, 4th of 10, 26l behind Silver Man (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Ballyben (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) Chased leaders, slow 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 7, 14 1/2l behind Dursey Sound (11-9) at Hexham 3m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Basford Ben 3-1 (10-2) Made all, clear 8th to 13th, drew clear again after 4 out, stayed on well, unchallenged, won at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in May beating Looking Well (11-5) by 11l, 6 ran.
Settledoutofcourt (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Tracked leader until 8th, lost place before 11th, weakened before 6 out, tailed off, last of 6, dist behind Thomas Wild (11-12) at Cartmel 3m 5f hcp (3) gd in May.
Nakadam (FR) 9-4fav (10-2) In rear, headway 5 out, led before last, kept on, won at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Apr beating Fiddlers Reel (11-6) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
