pressed leader, ridden after 8th, soon lost place, weakened next, tailed off 4 out, pulled up after
held up in rear, headway on outside 5th, not fluent 3 out, challenged 2 out, led before last bend, went clear briefly, jumped right last, headed towards finish
tracked leaders, outpaced before 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, took keen hold, headway 5th, went 2nd 9th until 4 out, hanging right after, lost place before 2 out
mid-division on inside, lost place 5th, headway 7th, weakened after 3 out
led until before 3 out, weakened from next
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led before next, headed before last bend, 3rd and stayed on same pace last
behind, not always fluent, headway before 3 out, outpaced from next
held up towards rear, headway 9th, went 2nd before last, stayed on, led towards finish
mid-division, headway 4 out, weakened before 2 out
Cougar Kid is largely consistent but didn’t stay when tried over 2m7f at Bangor a year ago so this trip could be a problem. Frankie Rapper should run his race again, however, and Present Times had a pipe-opener last month. Rosemary Russet appeared to show improvement last time at Ludlow but Gardiners Hill is better over fences. WESTERN WAVE has come on in leaps and bounds since tackling longer distances. He is easily justified favouritism over course and distance last month and should again beat the disappointing Late Shipment.
Wishicould (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Mistake 1st, pressed leader, led after 5th, joined before 3 out, soon ridden, headed next, no chance with winner approaching last, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 5, 12 1/4l behind Royal Claret (10-10) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Western Wave (FR) 10-3fav (11-12) Raced wide towards rear, headway 8th, soon chasing leaders, led after 2 out, stayed on well, won at Hereford 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Jully Les Buxy (11-8) by 9l, 8 ran.
Robert's Star (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Last pair and never travelling, pushed along and struggling 16th, tailed off when blundered next, 6th of 8, dist behind Shanroe Santos (11-10) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Frankie Rapper (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, bumped next, 2nd 2 out, stayed on flat, just held, 2nd of 12, nk behind Asylo (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Present Times (IRE) 6-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 8, 28 1/2l behind Crosspark (11-1) at Southwell 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Rosemary Russet 5-1 (11-6) In rear, headway from 3 out, ridden before 2 out, son chased winner, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Worthy Farm (11-10) at Taunton 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Chase End Charlie (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Led, clear until jumped very slowly 1st, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 3 3/4l behind Jam Session (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Cougar Kid (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Behind, headway 4 out, chased leaders after next, never able to challenge, 3rd of 12, 14l behind Coeur Blimey (10-5) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Gardiners Hill (IRE) 5-2fav (10-5) Held up, headway from 16th, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 8, 25l behind Beau Du Brizais (11-0) at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Late Shipment 4-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, led 6th, headed 8th, soon weakened, behind 3 out, 6th of 8, 35 3/4l behind Western Wave (11-12) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
