made all, hit 7th, not fluent 2 out, stayed on well
tracked winner throughout, challenging when hit 3 out, kept on always held from next
in touch, ridden approaching 8th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before last
in touch until 8th, soon behind, blundered 2 out, pulled up before last
chased leaders, pecked 2nd, ridden after 7th, soon weakened, tailed off
Brave Benefactor will prove difficult to beat here with Big Business and Lord Musgrove both worth noting. The selection has had limited experience to date with only two runs over hurdles to his name. He did improve ten fold to finish an eye catching third of eight at Newton Abbot on his latest run and looks every inch a chasing type. If jumping and transforming his latest hurdle effort he has to be one for the short list. Big Business has his first run for new connections and although his form is moderate the stables Irish imports always do well so any market moves should be noted. Lord Musgrove has his first run over the bigger obstacles today. His hurdle form had dwindled in recent times and fences might be the man of him so any moves in the betting market should be noted. But for the winner we return to Brave Benefactor.
Big Business 7-2fav (12-0) Chased leaders in 3rd, closer order from before 5 out, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 10th of 16, well behind Aghadoe Heights (10-12) at Wexford 2m hacp hdl sft in Nov.
Brave Benefactor (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Towards rear, not fluent and reminders 3rd, headway 6th, ridden and outpaced next, stayed on from 2 out to take 3rd last, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Grand Slam Hero (11-2) at N Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Derreen Boy (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 4th, hit 6th, ridden after next, weakened 2 out, 7th of 14, 6l behind Lupin (11-10) at Worcester 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gf.
Lord Musgrave (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 5th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 11, well behind Miss Muscat (10-2) at N Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
Mr Dip 20-1 (10-10) Held up rear, rapid headway on outside approaching 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, 4th of 11, 19l behind Miss Muscat (10-2) at N Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
Smartypants 12-1 (12-0) Last til pulled up at the 6th in race won by Alazylady (11-7) at Peper Harow 3m ptp frm in May, 6 ran.
Oh So Hardy 66-1 (10-2) Mistakes, always behind, 4th of 6, well behind Ladino (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Tanning 33-1 (10-2) Chased winner, not fluent 4th, ridden when hit 8th, weakened next, last of 5, 23l behind Possextown (11-4) at Worcester 3m nov hdl (4) gd.
