chased leader, challenged from 5th, led 3 out, blundered badly 2 out, headed when bumped and pushed right last, kept on but always held
led at very steady pace, ridden and headed 3 out, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened and no chance with leading duo soon after, lost poor 3rd towards finish, tailed off
took keen hold, held up behind leaders, hit 1st, not fluent 4th, poor 4th when hit 2 out, went poor 3rd towards finish, tailed off
chased leading pair, lost place 5th, hit next, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, closer order from 3rd, 3rd before 6th, went 2nd 2 out, led before and went badly right last, driven and stayed on dourly flat
took keen hold, chased leading trio until mistake and rider lost iron briefly 2nd and dropped to rear soon after, ridden and struggling before 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
If you include the winning rider's 7lb claim, SIMPLY WINGS was attempting to give The Gripper 33lb when beaten less than three lengths over C&D last month. Richard Lee's charge travelled strongly until outpaced from the last that day and deserves a change of luck. He gets 7lb from Listenlook, who made all when beating the odds-on Our Father over 2m4f on his debut under Rules at Chepstow earlier in the month but may find this a little tougher. Old Wigmore is also penalised for a C&D win in November but was far from disgraced when fifth in a Grade 2 over 3m at Cheltenham the following month and has the champion to do the steering today. He must be a danger while Cocacobana was second in a bumper here last month but faces a stiff task on his hurdles bow.
Listenlook (FR) 25-1 (11-2) Led, edged left approaching 2 out, soon joined, edged left and narrowly headed before last, rallied gamely to lead again final 100 yards, won at Chepstow 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft beating Our Father (11-8) by 1l, 15 ran.
Old Wigmore (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) With leader, led before 3 out, headed after next, soon ridden, kept on same pace approaching last, no impression flat, 5th of 9, 16l behind Mossley (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Dec.
Cocacobana (IRE) 40-1 (10-8) Held up, headway over 7f out, led over 5f out, ridden and headed 2f out, soon no chance with winner, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 15, 17l behind Mono Man (10-13) at Hereford 2m 1f cond & am NH flat (6) sft in Jan.
Midnight Charmer 200-1 (11-4) Towards rear, behind 6th, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Sinbad The Sailor (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Simply Wings (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, headway after 5th, not fluent 3 out, chased winner next, ridden and every chance last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind The Gripper (10-0) at Hereford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Lady Exe 200-1 (10-9) Raced wide in mid-division, reminders after 6th, soon lost place, no chance when fell 3 out, in a race won by Way Back When (10-9) at Wincanton 2m 6f mares NH nov hdl (4) gs, 16 ran.
Rich Live (FR) 125-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, ridden after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 16, well behind Cucumber Run (11-8) at Hereford 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Jan.
