held up in rear, ridden before 4 out, outpaced and well beaten from next
made all, allowed clear lead until given breather after 8th, quickened before 4 out, not fluent 2 out, stayed on
chased leaders, hit 7th, ridden before 3 out, weakened before last
held up, headway 3 out, went 2nd before last, kept on, held by winner final 100 yards
chased clear leader (winner), lost place 3 out, no impression when not fluent last
chased leaders, went 2nd before 3 out until approaching last, one pace in 3rd flat
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, effort when not much room briefly before 3 out, no impression
A few of these might have preferred easier going. Braventara is one and jumping remains an issue, though he stays well. Western Wave reverts to hurdles having failed to take to fences and should be competitive off this mark. THE BROTHERS’ best run came on heavy going but this step up in trip may well suit Colin Tizzard’s charge, who gets a tentative vote ahead of the consistent-but-frustrating Transpennine Star and Solstice Star. With Pleasure has been in good form on the Flat recently so can’t be ignored and he makes more appeal than Tea Time Fred, who is on a long losing run.
Braventara 5-1cfav (11-12) Soon tracking leaders on outside, mistake 3rd, lost place 7th, towards rear but in touch when fell 3 out, at Hereford 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Solstice Star 11-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place after 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Little Miss Poet (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in May.
Tea Time Fred 4-1 (11-11) In touch on inside, smooth headway 4 out, led next, urged along and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Western Sunrise (11-10) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Western Wave (FR) 4-1 (11-10) In touch on outside, jump right from 4 out, driven to chase leader after 3 out, lost place next, soon ridden, no impression before last, 6th of 10, 13 1/4l behind Irish Octave (11-6) at Bangor 3m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
The Brothers (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Led until 2nd, prominent in chasing group, pushed along before 3 out, weakened well before next, 11th of 14, dist behind Marble Moon (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Transpennine Star 11-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 19 1/2l behind Muhtaris (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
With Pleasure 10-1 (9-9) Held up in last pair, not clear run 1f out, switched left, ridden and stayed on to take 4th closing stages, nearest finish, 4th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Bodacious Name (9-4) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
