held up in touch, chasing leaders from 4f out, driven well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, driven over 4f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on but not pace of winner
with leader until pushed along 6f out, weakened over 3f out
held up in mid-division, headway 5f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always prominent, went 2nd 6f out, ridden over 3f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
held up towards rear, steady headway from 6f out, went 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well
mid-division, lost place before halfway, soon behind, tailed off
held up, headway halfway, lost place 5f out, stayed on from over 2f out, never troubled leaders
prominent 9f
chased leaders, driven 5f out, soon struggling
held up towards rear, effort over 4f out, no further progress
held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, no impression on leaders from well over 1f out
held up in touch, slightly outpaced 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out, not trouble leaders
took keen hold in touch, lost place 6f out, no danger after
held up, never dangerous
mid-division, headway over 5f out, driven along over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong
never better than mid-division
Briscoe Place can keep up Jonjo O' Neill's good recent record in this event, with Go Commercial, Tokala, Leading Contender and Star Shot others in with a shout. Jonjo has won this twice in the last three years, notably with Rhinestone Cowboy, and as useful Irish hurdler Back In Front has also won this in the past, it goes without saying that this is normally a pointer to next March. Briscoe Place looked the part when scoring at Worcester in September, and the way he ran on strongly at the finish suggests that he will have no trouble with the hill. From the wealth of bumper talent in Martin Pipe's yard, newcomer Go Commercial is unleashed and no doubt we will be hearing a lot more about this son of Supreme Leader if he goes close today. Tokala has won both starts including over the course and distance, but like Malt de Vergy, has a penalty to overcome in stronger company. A bigger danger may be Leading Contender who could not have beaten Asudo any easier at Chepstow. The latter has since opened his account, making all on a return to the Welsh rack, but he should again be held by the Hobbs horse who can give the selection most to do. Star Shot will appreciate the slightly better ground and is worth a mention at least along with Slick and Go Silver Bullet, but in a cracking finale we return to Briscoe Place as the answer.
Malt de Vergy (FR) 9-4 (11-8) Raced keenly in mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Kelso 2m nhf (H) gf in May beating First Cry (11-4) by a nk, 14 ran.
Tokala 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 7f out, hard driven final 2f, edged right over 1f out, hard pressed final furlong, all out, won at Cheltenham 2m nhf (H) gd in Oct beating Dream Alliance (11-0) by a nk, 17 ran.
Asudo (IRE) 6-4fav (10-11) Made all, clear over 1f out, ran on well, won at Chepstow 2m nhf (H) hvy beating Leading Authority (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Briscoe Place (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Took keen hold in mid-division, headway after 4f, led 3f out, ran on strongly, won at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gf in Sept beating Valassini (10-8) by 3 1/2l, 15 ran.
Go Silver Bullet (FR) 4-1fav (11-4) Soon led, edged clear approaching straight, ridden and stayed on strongly from 2f out, eased close home, won at Roscommon 2m nhf gd in Sept beating Crowler's Luck (11-9) by 5l, 17 ran.
Leading Contender (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up mid-division, headway on stands side 4f out, led over 3f out, soon clear, very easily, won at Chepstow 2m nhf (H) gs in Oct beating Asudo (10-11) by 9l, 15 ran.
Mars Rock (FR) 5-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd halfway, led going well over 2f out, stayed on well, won at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (H) gs in Oct beating River Ripples (11-2) by 2l, 9 ran.
Slick (FR) 6-4fav (11-0) Held up in touch, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, ran on, won at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gf in May beating Even Flo (10-4) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Star Shot (IRE) 2-1fav (10-11) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, clear over 1f out, just held on, won at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (H) sft in Jun beating Tihui Two (10-4) by a shd, 10 ran.
Butsadtohavetogo (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up, headway on outside 5f out, one pace final 2f, 7th of 17, 8l behind Tokala (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m nhf (H) gd in Oct.
Crossing 5-1 (11-4) 5th of 8, well behind Once A Brownie (10-13) at Down Royal 2m nhf sft.
Go Commercial (IRE) Supreme Leader gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Kaldouas (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, ridden over 5f out, stayed on from 2f out, never troubled leaders, 6th of 21, 10l behind Hi Humpfree (11-1) at Newbury 2m nhf (H) gd in Apr.
Molostiep (FR) Video Rock gelding out of Unetiepy.
Reach For The Top (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Held up, stayed on from over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 12, 5l behind Arumun (10-11) at Haydock 2m nhf (H) gd in Mar.
Rothbury 50-1 (11-1) Held up, headway over 5f out, one pace final 2f, 2nd of 15, 6l behind Spartacus Bay (10-13) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf (H) sft in Oct.
Midnight Gift (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Mid-division, closer in 4th from over 4f out, 5th approaching straight, soon no impression under pressure, 6th of 17, 13l behind Glenquin Castle (11-7) at Galway 2m nhf sft in Oct.
Bamby (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Carried left start, held up towards rear, pulled hard, headway halfway to join leaders, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 12, 31l behind Sovietica (11-0) at Warwick 2m mrs nhf (H) gd in Oct.
Limestream (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Prominent, 3rd over 6f out, led over 3f out, soon ridden and strongly pressed, headed and weakened early straight, 8th of 25, 20l behind Silent Oscar (11-2) at Punchestown 2m nhf sft in Apr.
Un Hinged (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Towards rear, 9th halfway, moderate 5th under 5f out, closed and ridden to challenge in 2nd from 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Barna Bay (11-11) at Tramore 2m nhf gs in Oct.
