Sergeant O'Leary could be one to note for future reference though, like Imperial Esprit, may need this. Revels Hill is a likely improver and Art Approval looks a danger to all if handling conditions as he ran well in a novices’ handicap at Cheltenham last month having finished second in his first two runs over hurdles. But we’re going to stick with the penalised ORBYS LEGEND as he was always holding favourite The Brass Man here four weeks ago on his hurdles bow and can only improve.
Orbys Legend (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Prominent, led narrowly after 1st, headed before 4th, led after 5th, narrow advantage 3 out, ridden after 2 out, jumped left last, stayed on strongly, won at Exeter 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec beating The Brass Man (10-12) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Art Approval (FR) 15-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, blundered and lost place 3 out, kept on flat, 7th of 17, 4l behind Lively Citizen (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Bay Of Intrigue 20-1 (10-12) Raced out wide, held up, good headway on outside chasing leaders before 4 out, 2nd soon after 2 out, 4th and held when fell last, at Hereford 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov.
Don't Jump George (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 3 3/4l behind Flyin' Solo (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Etoile Rebelle (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Midfield, lost ground when ridden 3 out, well adrift when hit 2 out, one pace, 8th of 11, dist behind Balleticon (11-7) at Southwell 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Getafriend (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Midfield, pushed behind leaders turning for home, swerved left and unseated rider entering home straight, at Ludlow 1m 6f (4) sft in Dec.
Grandee (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) In rear, some headway 3 out, weakened soon after next, 7th of 11, dist behind Diocletian (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Imperial Esprit (IRE) 6-4 (11-0) Raced keenly, chased leading pair, tracked leader after 2nd until 6th, pushed along after 8th, weakened next, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Plumpton 2m 5f mdn (4) hvy in Dec.
Lusitanien (FR) 25-1 (11-5) Made most until over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 35 1/4l behind Quid Pro Quo (11-5) at Hereford 2m mdn (5) gs in Nov.
Now Is The Winter (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Prominent when slow 1st, chased leaders on outside, lost place 6th, mistake next, behind from 4 out, soon pulled up, at Exeter 2m 6f (3) gd in Nov.
Restless Brian Brian Boru gelding out of Restless Native.
Revels Hill (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Led, headed before 5 out, still in touch 3 out where not fluent, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 20 3/4l behind Midnight River (11-4) at Leicester 2m 4f (3) sft in Nov.
Sergeant O'leary (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Held up, headway over 2f out, stayed on well, never nearer, 5th of 14, 9 1/4l behind Shinobi (10-12) at Exeter 1m 5f (5) gd in Oct.
The Widdow Maker 66-1 (10-12) Keen behind leaders, not fluent 1st, close up 3rd, led before 4th, headed after 5th, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 7th of 15, 20 1/4l behind Orbys Legend (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
Tip Top Mountain (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Made all; drew clr 2 out; unchall, won at Wadebridge 3m mdn gs in Dec beating Charles Ritz (11-7) by 10l, 10 ran.
