tracked leaders, led 8th, headed after 2 out, soon rallied, led again before last, stayed on well
held up in touch, lost place before 4 out, soon hard ridden, lost action and pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader, slow 1st, pushed along 8th, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in rear, headway 10th, chased leaders 3 out, kept on under pressure, never a threat
led, mistake 7th, headed next, weakened quickly, behind when pulled up before last
held up in touch, chased leader 4 out, led after 2 out, soon headed kept on same pace
chased leaders, went 2nd 9th, ridden before 2 out, gradually weakened
Bob Johnson thinks Lord Brendy will make a chaser and it's interesting that he's thrown straight into a handicap. Harrys Whim's consistency can't be faulted while Wakanda has the size to do well over fences and will strip fitter for a recent spin over hurdles at Uttoxeter. Book Of Excuses has won two point-to-points and three times over hurdles and is getting closer to a first chase win, though his stable is going through a bit of a quiet spell. OSCAR TANNER goes well fresh and won over hurdles here last year. He looks fairly treated on his first start over fences and could be the one to beat ahead of Purcell's Bridge, another returning from a break.
Wakanda (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders on outside, outpaced after 4 out, rallied after next, challenged and every chance when went left 2 out, soon riddden, kept on same pace, no impression flat, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Grandads Horse (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in Sep.
Oscar Tanner (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, reminders after 5th and in rear, headway before 3 out, one pace in 3rd before 2 out, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Getabuzz (11-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Mar.
Book Of Excuses (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) With winner, led after 2nd, headed narrowly and reminder 13th, led again narrowly after 5 out, headed next, soon outpaced, no impression in clear 2nd from 3 out, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Midnight Oscar (11-7) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) gd in Sep.
Lord Brendy 5-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, led 2 out, headed last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Degooch (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Harrys Whim 6-4fav (11-12) Led, pressed from 4 out, headed before 2 out, one pace and no impression from before last, 2nd of 3, 9l behind Oh Right (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Sep.
Purcell's Bridge (FR) 9-2 (10-11) Held up, headway in 3rd at 13th, disputing 3rd at 14th, went 3rd 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 4, 14l behind Wolf Shield (11-8) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in May.
Redpender (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) In rear and in touch, weakened after last, last of 5, 28l behind Going Concern (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Aug.
