jumped right 5th, led until 5th, pushed along before 4 out, weakened 3 out
pressed leader, led 5th, not fluent 4 out, headed 3 out, no impression on winner last
chased leaders, jumped right at times, awkward 1st, switched left before 4 out, weakened 3 out
held up in 4th, outpaced and reminder after 6th, well beaten before 4 out
held up in rear, headway from 6th, went 2nd going well 4 out, led next, quickened clear before last, easily
Both Oscars Leader and Ridgeway struggled last time having won their penultimate outings and the latter drops back down in distance. But LAKE TAKAPUNA made a satisfactory reappearance when fifth at Kelso given the third has subsequently won and James Ewart’s charge may well improve on his second start after wind surgery. Maiden hurdle winner Coastguard Station debuts over fences and is preferred to Fusain.
Oscars Leader (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Mostly tracked leader, jumped slowly and lost 2nd briefly 4th, jumped slowly next, lost 2nd after 8th, ridden and beaten when went right 4 out, tailed off, last of 3, dist behind File Illico (11-3) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Fusain (FR) 150-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, 5th of 6, dist behind Banbridge (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Ridgeway (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Took keen hold, held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, mistake 4th, pushed along 10th, soon struggling, hampered 12th, pulled up before 3 out, at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Lake Takapuna (IRE) 18-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, no progress, 5th of 8, 6l behind Corrigeen Rock (11-11) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Coastguard Station (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Keen tracked leader, led 3rd, headed next, tracked winner, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Al Zaraqaan (11-13) at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
