with leader, led 3rd, ridden and pressed from 2 out, not fluent last, ran on
raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced from 3 out, tailed off
keen, in touch in rear, hit 7th, headway to press winner 3 out until ridden approaching next, kept on same pace, lost 3rd flat
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced soon after 3 out, rallied to go 3rd flat
close up, headway 3 out, pressed winner next, ridden and every chance when flattened last, kept on one pace
led, hit 2nd, headed next, tracked winner until hit 7th, soon dropped to rear, tailed off
Olly Murphy sets a poser here by saddling both the penalised General Custard and the less-exposed Three County's, who showed promise at Warwick last month. The former just gets the nod with his rider’s claim taking care of the extra but WAR BRIGADE won over 1m4f at Newbury in October and was lightly-raced on the Flat - he wouldn’t need to be a world-beater to make a winning start over timber. Soldier Of Love was beaten more than 30 lengths when third at Bangor so needs more.
General Custard 7-1 (11-5) Held up behind leaders, pecked 9th, ridden after 3 out, 3rd when mistake 2 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 7, 18l behind Supremely Lucky (10-12) at Southwell 3m (4) gd in Nov.
Almontaser (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, blundered 1st, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 10th of 13, dist behind Remastered (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m (4) hvy in Nov.
Oscar Nomination (IRE) 9-4 (12-2) Tr ldr in 2nd, ld 6out, chall aftr 3out, hdd bef 2out, no ch with wnr frm last, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Arch Melody (12-2) at Kinsale 3m mdn gd in Jun.
Soldier Of Love 10-1 (11-0) In rear, not fluent 3rd, well behind next, switched right and went 3rd after 2 out, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 6, 33l behind Shantaluze (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f mdn (5) gd in Oct.
War Brigade (FR) 5-2 (8-12) Close up, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, chased winner approaching final furlong, one pace and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 4 3/4l behind Hawridge Flyer (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Quizzacle Nomad 200-1 (10-12) Prominent, led after 4th, headed before next, lost place 3 out, soon behind, 7th of 9, dist behind Kimberley Point (11-5) at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Three County's (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, mistake 7th, tracked leaders 3 out, outpaced before next, soon ridden, went modest 4th after last, 4th of 6, 10 1/2l behind De Name Evades Me (10-12) at Warwick 3m 2f (4) gd in Nov.