led 2nd, headed soon after, steadied to mid-division, ridden after 15th, stayed on from 4 out to take 2nd line
held up, mistake 8th, headway 12th, tracked leader from 15th, led 4 out, ran on
keen, led after 2nd, clear 3rd, mistake 14th, headed and jumped right 4 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, ridden and weakened 15th
held up, tracked leader from 11th, ridden 15th, chased winner approaching last, soon weakened and lost 2nd line
tracked leaders, lost place 4th, soon behind, pulled up 4 out
held up, driven along 3rd, lost touch 10th, mistake next and pulled up before 12th
led, headed 2nd, mistake 11th (water), lost place, behind when pulled up before 2 out
Red Brook Lad may be able to go one better than last year although General Alarm could prove difficult to pass if he's allowed his own way in front. Beauchamp Oracle and Lost Time may prove best of the remainder. The selection has won twice here and only finished out of the money once in five visits. He's versatile with regard to the trip, holds his form well and he looks sure to be there or thereabouts at the line. General Alarm has been off the track for some time but he's sure to be fit enough to do himself justice and it would be no surprise to see him jump off and try to make all. A reproduction of his best form would make him a threat to all. Beauchamp Oracle finished around 13 lengths behind Tribal Venture at Warwick and Lost Time 17 lengths behind the same horse over this course and distance. There's not much to choose between the pair on that evidence but both could improve for the run and take closer order here. However, for the winner, we'll come back to Red Brook Lad.
Beauchamp Oracle 10-1 (11-7) Held up, tracked leader from 6th, ridden 4 out, every chance 3 out, weakened last, 4th of 5, 13l behind Tribal Venture (11-7) at Ludlow 3m hts chs (5) sft.
Red Brook Lad 2-1 (11-0) Cl up til outpcd 2 out; rallied last; fin wl, 2nd of 4, hd behind Ask Again (11-0) at Milborne St Andr 3m ptp gf.
General Alarm 2-1fav (10-6) Led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed flat, one pace, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Spring Breeze (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov '06.
Lord Youky (FR) 8-1 (12-0) Bd 5 brought down in race won by Little Ed (12-0) at Erw Lon 3m ptp gd, 14 ran.
Lost Time (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Held up, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, last of 5, 17l behind Tribal Venture (11-7) at Ludlow 3m hts chs (5) sft.
Over Bridge 14-1 (10-8) Mid-division, lost touch 8th, 7th of 13, 41l behind Lyster (10-11) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Oct.
Snitton Salvo 125-1 (10-11) Reminders, headway 3rd, in touch 6th, lost place approaching 8th, mistake 10th, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Ice Tea (11-0) at Bangor 3m nov chs (4) gd in May, 8 ran.
Wings of Hope (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Led to 5; wknd aft 2 out, 5th of 9, 17l behind Double Honour (11-0) at Ballarat 3m ptp frm in Jun.
