tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, pushed clear flat
held up in rear, hung left after 6th, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened
led to approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, no extra flat
held up, not fluent 6th, ridden and headway after 7th, weakened 2 out
held up, headway after 4th, 3rd when not fluent 3 out, weakened 2 out
in touch to 7th, soon behind
prominent, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
Having been a bit novicey over fences, Brandy Wine is switched back to hurdles and we take him to win this, with Zaffaran Express and Vicario others for the short list. Brandy Wine will relish these conditions and this trip, and although he comes here after a break, most of the others also have questionable fitness, so he shouldn't lose out on that front. He jumps better over timber, and he looks the most likely winner. Zaffaran Express was an easy winner at Bangor in March, but subsequent weight rises have made winning difficult since. To add to those worries she isn't as effective on softer ground, so she'll find it tough. Vicario could present a bigger danger. Trip and ground should be fine for him, though he does have to contend with a high enough mark. Graham Lee is booked though, and we anticipate a bit of improvement from his reappearance run. But Brandy Wine has ticks in the right boxes here and can take this.
Vicario 9-1 (11-6) In touch, headway and every chance 2 out, soon ridden, no extra when blundered last, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Lofty Leader (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Oct.
Flying Fortune (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 8th, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened quickly 2 out, 7th of 13, 32l behind Drumbeater (10-11) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in Oct.
Marsh Run 3-1 (10-13) Made most to 8th, chased winner, ridden 2 out, weakened last, eased flat, 4th of 8, 37l behind See You There (11-0) at Carlisle 3m nh nov hdl (E) gs in Mar.
Zaffaran Express (IRE) 10-11fav (11-5) Made most, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Millagros (11-5) at Perth 2m hdl (E) gd in May.
Day du Roy (FR) 8-1 (10-9) Behind, headway 7th, effort approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 11, 24l behind Beseiged (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in Jun.
Ingenu (FR) 100-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden approaching 7th, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Drumbeater (10-11) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in Oct, 13 ran.
Brandy Wine (IRE) 13-8fav (11-7) Held up, not fluent 6th and 7th, headway 12th, went 2nd 3 out, effort 2 out, one pace under pressure, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Diamond Cottage (10-8) at Kelso 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Apr.
