behind, struggling 4 out, soon lost touch, plugged on after last, never a threat
tracked leaders, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and outpaced after next, stayed on to take 3rd towards finish, no impression
tracked leader, disputed lead 3 out, every chance when fell next
towards rear, outpaced after 3 out, weakened before last, tailed off
held up in rear, steady headway before 2 out, tracked leaders on inside turning, left disputing lead last, ridden to lead flat, soon clear, stayed on well
in touch on outside, ridden and outpaced after 2 out, no impression before last
tracked leaders, driven when left 2nd 2 out, led turning, narrow advantage when fell last
in touch, lost place 3rd, soon behind, lost touch when ridden after 4 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, fell 3 out
in touch, chased leaders when hampered 2 out, kept on and every chance last, soon ridden, weakened flat
mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, soon ridden, every chance when left in narrow lead last, headed flat, no chance with winner final 110 yards
led, hit 4th, joined 3 out, ridden and headed turning in, left with every chance last, ridden and no impression with front pair flat, lost 3rd towards finish
in touch, outpaced after 3 out, ridden after next, never on terms, weakened after last
Oakley came good around the turn of the year. He’s still unexposed but the lack of a recent run is a concern. Whoshotthesheriff has won three of his four hurdle starts and is unbeaten since joining Phil Kirby. Veteran Hallings Comet has an experienced conditional on board and is the likely pace angle while Gordon Elliott is responsible for bottom weight Ballydunblaze. Storm Rising disappointed on his reappearance at Market Rasen but, with that run under his belt, can reverse that form with Applesandpierres. BENNY’S BRIDGE (NAP) needs a strong gallop and plenty of patience but came through late to beat Flash Of Steel here back in January. The runner-up won a Grade 3 at Chepstow recently so that form has a very solid look about it.
Peter The Mayo Man (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Held up in 4th place, tracked leading pair 8th, staying on same pace when fell last, at Worcester 2m hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Oakley (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, 2nd before 2 out, led last, driven and stayed on well run-in, won at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gd in Jan beating Magic Dancer (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Whoshotthesheriff (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Tracked leader, not fluent 4 out, led 2 out, clear before last, in no danger when ridden flat, eased towards finish, comfortably, won at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) gd in Apr beating Staged Engagement (11-0) by 6l, 7 ran.
Capital Force (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Prominent, every chance 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 6, 5 3/4l behind Utility (11-6) at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Aug.
Benny's Bridge (IRE) 17-2 (10-8) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 2 out, weakened before last, 9th of 15, 15 1/4l behind Getaway Trump (11-12) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Havana Hermano (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, tracked winner 2nd, every chance 3 out, lost 2nd between last 2, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 9, 10 1/2l behind Harefield (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Storm Rising (IRE) 13-2 (10-3) In rear, ridden 5th, well beaten 3 out, last of 13, dist behind Scarlet Dragon (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Sep.
War Brigade (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, plugged on in modest 4th towards finish, 4th of 7, 10l behind Lightly Squeeze (11-9) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (5) sft in Sep.
Applesandpierres (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Towards rear, mistake 3rd, ridden after 3 out, some headway before 2 out, no impression, 7th of 13, 13 3/4l behind Scarlet Dragon (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Sep.
The Twisler 10-1 (10-11) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, driven and effort before 2 out, soon outpaced, ridden and no impression between last 2, weakened last, last of 6, 19l behind Irish Prophecy (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gf in Oct.
Falcon Sun (FR) 5-2fav (11-7) Prominent, led 3rd, ridden and headed soon after 2 out, weakened, 6th of 9, 23l behind Suggestion (11-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Hallings Comet 13-8fav (11-12) With winner to before 3rd, in touch, lost place before 4 out, soon ridden, never able to get back on terms, behind from next, 7th of 8, 32 3/4l behind New Millennium (12-1) at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Ballydunblaze (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Waited with, soon in rear, took closer order approaching straight, chased winner and kept on same pace from after 2 out, 3rd of 8, 14 1/2l behind Penny Out (11-2) at Limerick 2m hcp hvy in Oct.
