led 2nd, ridden approaching 3 out, mistake and headed 2 out, weakened flat
in touch, headway after 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up mid-division, headway 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace
chased leaders until weakened quickly after 5th, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division until stumbled badly and lost place 2nd, tailed off and pulled up after 5th
led until 2nd, prominent, ridden to lead 2 out, edged right after last, kept on but no extra when headed close home
keen in rear, headway after 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, hampered last, stayed on to lead close home
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace
held up towards rear, some headway 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up in touch, headway after 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, headway 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
Gallant Hero is taken to defy an absence at the expense of Gaora Bridge, Supreme Dawn and Sir Brastias. Gallant Hero has been given a break since falling behind Contraband at Taunton in November on what was only his second start over hurdles. Winner of the 2002 Wood Ditton for Sir Michael Stoute, he has never really revealed his true ability but there is still time, and he is selected to open his account. Irish point winner Gaora Bridge found all bar Dempsey too good at Wincanton and is open to improvement. He might just need further to show his best though. Supreme Dawn has hinted on more than one occasion that he can win a race of this nature, while Sir Brastias, a winner on the Flat at Yarmouth for Simon Dow, did not jump fluently on his Huntingdon debut but still finished second. He can only improve, but Gallant Hero has been hiding his light under a bushel, and is taken to come good.
