in touch, outpaced before 8th, plugged on to take 3rd place after last, no impression
tracked winner, challenged 8th, led 5 out, headed next, no impression on winner after 3 out
tracked leader, in rear from 4th, soon pushed along, tailed off and pulled up before 8th
led to 5 out, led next, clear from before 2 out, easily
in rear and in touch, went 3rd before 7th, no impression on leaders, lost 3rd place when weakened last
Nonrunner
Amore Alato looked as though he was going to spring a big surprise in this grade at Ascot last month until capsizing at the last and has to be respected. Bristol De Mai hasn't done much wrong so far and loves the mud while Kylemore Lough beat more experienced rivals last time at Exeter and is on the upgrade. Boru's Brook made a winning start over fences at Wetherby but Plumpton third Zamdy Man will need to brush up his jumping to figure, though did win a Grade 2 over hurdles on this card two years ago. Aidan Coleman prefers OTAGO TRAIL after his demolition job on a field of handicappers at Chepstow. He looks well worth a try at this higher level on that evidence.
Otago Trail (IRE) 6-5fav (11-12) Led until 3rd, led after next, drew well clear before 3 out, eased towards finish, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Jan beating Saint Raph (10-8) by 36l, 7 ran.
Amore Alato 40-1 (11-0) Chased leader, led 4th until next, chased leader, led again 8th, ridden and about 2 lengths clear when blundered badly and unseated rider last, at Ascot 2m 5f (1) sft in Dec.
Boru's Brook (IRE) 6-4jfav (11-1) Made all, jumped well, in command when not fluent last, easily, won at Wetherby 1m 7f (4) sft in Nov beating Dig Deeper (11-1) by 15l, 5 ran.
Bristol De Mai (FR) 1-3fav (10-13) Jumped well, made all, well clear from 3 out, very easily, won at Leicester 2m 4f (3) sft in Dec beating Bon Chic (10-7) by 7l, 3 ran.
Zamdy Man 5-6fav (10-13) Jumped right, led until 3 out, chased winner, chance next, lost 2nd between last two, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Regal Encore (10-13) at Plumpton 2m 1f (3) sft in Dec.
Kylemore Lough 5-4fav (11-0) Chased leaders, joined leader 6th, led approaching 4 out, hard ridden after last, stayed on strongly, won at Exeter 2m 1f (2) hvy in Dec beating Dunraven Storm (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
