A winner over track and trip last season, Brigadier Bob disappointed on his reappearance though possibly needed the run. Battle Of Ideas is probably better over shorter trips and on better ground while Landofsmiles has gone back up in the weights since his second at Uttoxeter. WYE AYE has looked an improver performer this season and, though 7lb higher than when successful over course and distance in November, was staying on strongly in a jumpers’ bumper at Newcastle last week and can get his head back in front.
Landofsmiles (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Chased leaders, led approaching 6th, jumped right 7th, ridden for effort before 2 out, headed and jumped right last, kept on run-in, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Neil The Legend (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Brigadier Bob (IRE) 9-2 (10-8) Sat outside leader, slight mistake 7th, disputing second when mistake 6 out, began to lose ground 4 out and pulled up before 2 out, at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Oakley Hall (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, lost position briefly after a mistake 3rd, not fluent 5th, chased leaders after 5th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 5th of 11, 34 1/4l behind Broken Quest (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Battle Of Ideas (IRE) 15-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, ridden and weakened before next, 5th of 9, 31l behind Kilbrew Boy (11-11) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Wye Aye 4-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Brotherly Company (11-4) at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Jan.
Kiteinahurricane (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Towards rear, outpaced before 4 out, mistake 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Shattered Glass (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Midfield, lost position 9th, kept on after 2 out but never a serious threat, 5th of 12, 18 3/4l behind Discko Des Plages (11-10) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Arthur's Reuben 8-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, awkward 2nd, short of room jumping 12th, reminders 14th, steady headway under pressure before 4 out, well adrift before 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, 4th of 10, 33l behind Ecossais (11-12) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Bignorm (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Held up in midfield, headway to chase leaders 15th, stayed on under pressure before 3 out, in touch 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Ecossais (11-12) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Maasai Warrior (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) In rear, mistakes, pulled up 12th, at Market Rasen 3m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Deewhy (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Prominent, awkward 5th, close up 6th, ridden before 4 out, losing ground when almost forced off the track by faller 4 out, blundered badly 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
