held up, ridden 3 out, kept on flat, never nearer
held up well in rear, good headway approaching 3 out to chase winner, soon ridden, stayed on towards finish
in touch, ridden 3 out, kept on to go 3rd flat
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, reminders 8th and dropped to rear, not a danger after
mid-division, ridden 9th, weakened 3 out
tracked winner until 3rd, chased winner again 10th until approaching 3 out, ridden and kept on one pace
held up in rear, kept on approaching last, never nearer
in touch, chased winner 3rd until 10th, weakened approaching 3 out
made all, jumped right 1st and 2nd, slow 3rd, clear 6th, ridden 2 out, driven and hung left flat, all out
HIGH OSCAR is a tentative suggestion in an open race where Mr Prickle and Magot De Grugy are amongst those with more obvious claims. Richard Rowe has his string in pretty good order at present and it may be worth taking a chance with his ex-Irish gelding following a confidence boosting round over an inadequate trip. He's been an infrequent winner but isn't badly treated and should cope well enough with the conditions. Magot De Grugy was driven out to beat Mr Prickle by two lengths at Chepstow and the runner-up scored readily at Towcester next time but Dr Newland's decision to retain the services of a conditional gives his runner the upper hand at the weights. Pacco has claims on his best form, Captain Tidds ran a fair race last time and looks worth another try at this trip whilst Soprano cannot be ignored having finished in front of Magot De Grugy on his return at Uttoxeter but he's never been the most consistent so a chance is taken with High Oscar at a potentially bigger price.
Pacco (FR) 17-2 (11-10) Soon behind, ridden after 6th, weakened from 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Michigan d'Isop (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in May, 15 ran.
Captain Tidds (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Held up behind, headway approaching 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Green Belt Elite (11-10) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Magot de Grugy (FR) 10-11fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, led before next, in command from 2 out, steadied last, ridden out, won at Chepstow 2m 3f cond hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov beating Mr Prickle (11-10) by 2l, 5 ran.
Mr Prickle (IRE) 85-40 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, won at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov beating Wheels Up (11-7) by 24l, 5 ran.
Soprano (GER) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 10th, stayed on to take 2nd last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Buffalo Bob (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov.
Ouragan Lagrange (FR) 20-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway after 5th, mistake 7th, soon lost place, well beaten 3 out, 8th of 11, 29l behind Rivaliste (11-4) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
High Jack (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) Chased leader to 5th, not fluent 10th, hit 3 out, soon beaten, 4th of 6, 14l behind Bennynthejets (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
High Oscar 7-1 (10-7) In touch until lost place 6th, kept on again from 2 out, went modest 4th last, never near leaders, 4th of 10, 14l behind Nomecheki (11-6) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Nov.
Ross Leader (IRE) 9-2fav (11-12) Made all, 3 lengths clear after last, idled flat, just held on, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Mar beating Silver Steel (11-9) by hd, 14 ran.
Senor Shane (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Prominent, led 10th, jumped left and headed 2 out, weakened quickly, 5th of 11, 12l behind Knighton Combe (11-12) at Ascot 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
