led, headed before 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along before 6 out, went 2nd before 3 out, kept on and always held
tracked leader, pushed along before 7th, reminders before 5 out, went 3rd before last, kept on
held up towards rear and in touch, went 2nd before 7th, led before 4 out, soon clear, kept on, ridden out
tracked leaders in 3rd, lost place before 10th, headway to go 3rd before 3 out, one pace before last
always behind, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before last
Strumble Head won by eight lengths over a longer trip here in October and has been waiting for better ground. He can't be ignored but Bertie's Desire keeps finding one too good. De Blacksmith had Friendly Society just behind when second to Brody Bleu over course and distance three weeks ago but isn't exactly straightforward and is still awaiting a first victory over the larger obstacles. So is EXPRESS DU BERLAIS but Richard Newland's Irish import has won a point-to-point and made a winning start for his new stable over hurdles at Ffos Las last month. He can race off the same mark back over fences so must go well.
Strumble Head (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Led, headed after 3rd, tracked leader, led again 6th to 12th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 4th of 6, 46l behind Master Neo (11-5) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
Friendly Society (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, kept on and no impression, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Brody Bleu (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Apr.
De Blacksmith (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, led 6 out, pushed along and headed before 3 out, kept on, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Brody Bleu (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Apr.
Express Du Berlais (FR) 3-1fav (11-7) With leader, not fluent 1st, led after next, not fluent 6th or 2 out, stayed on well, won at Ffos Las 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Apr beating Royal Redemption (11-2) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Bertie's Desire 9-4fav (11-1) Chased leaders, not always fluent, hit 7th, closed 9th, 2nd from 13th, no impression on winner 3 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Ballyallia Man (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Nov.
Burgess Dream (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Held up in last pair, some headway on outside 8th, jumped slowly next, ridden and weakened 4 out, behind when blundered next, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Thats Ben (10-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Apr.
