chased leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, soon headed, kept on
held up towards rear, ridden and headway after 3 out, went 4th next, kept on same pace
prominent, led 4th until 7th, led 3 out, ridden and headed next, rallied to lead approaching last, stayed on gamely, driven out
mid-division, ridden when hampered 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, hit 4th, headway after 6th, ridden to chase leading pair after 3 out, stayed on
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out
mid-division until 5th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
led until 4th, led 7th until 3 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, ridden and some headway when hit 3 out, weakened before next
held up, headway after 7th, ridden after next, 6th and beaten when fell last
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
Prince De Bersy has been running consistently well this term and has to be respected giving weight away all round under his penalties but David Pipe's gelding has yet to show his effectiveness on soft ground and preference is for Edgbriar, who gets the vote over Go Amwell. The last mentioned stepped up on his debut effort when successful at Uttoxeter last month and he has to be respected but may also struggle under a penalty for that success and looks booked for a place at best. Similar comments apply to Rodrigo Gonzales, while bumper recruit Khumbu would need to improve on his showing at Leicester to trouble the judge. Wheres Johnny is improving with each start and has place claims but overall preference is for Edgbriar. Paul Webber's gelding showed progressive form in testing conditions in bumpers before making a pleasing debut over hurdles when last seen in March. Given the form of Webber's horses, the lack of a recent run need not be of concern and Edgbriar looks worth an investment.
Prince De Bersy (FR) 10-11fav (11-8) Tracked leader, led 7th, driven along after 3 out, strongly pressed when mistake and headed 2 out, beaten when hit last, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Lyceum (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gf in Dec.
Go Amwell 11-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 7th, ran on to lead flat, pushed out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec beating West End Rocker (11-0) by 1l, 15 ran.
Rodrigo Gonzales (IRE) 17-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, led after 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Greenbelt (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Alfred's Tower 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 15, 33l behind What A Friend (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Edgbriar (FR) 9-2 (11-2) Keen hold in mid-division, headway from 3 out, chased winner after 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 17, 13l behind Lindop (11-2) at Lingfield 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Khumbu 50-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, good headway from 4 out, ridden 2 out, weakened after last, 4th of 14, 12l behind Blue Bajan (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Dec.
Meersbrook (USA) 33-1 (10-12) Held up, never dangerous, 7th of 14, 31l behind Overclear (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Dec.
Mr Dass (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Behind, blundered badly 2nd, not jumped well after, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by What A Friend (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec, 15 ran.
R'Cam (IRE) 7-4 (10-9) Chased leaders, weakened and lost place before 6th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Pocket Aces (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec, 7 ran.
Sycho Fred (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) In touch, hit 1st, one pace from 2 out, 6th of 15, 15l behind Foxspur (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Thats Confidential (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, lost place 3rd, outpaced approaching 2 out, some late progress, 8th of 12, 17l behind Calgary Bay (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) gd in Dec.
Wheres Johnny 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 9th and outpaced, kept on, not trouble leaders, 4th of 10, 7l behind Gansey (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
