behind, ridden and hit 5th, beaten when blundered 3 out
chased leader, led 3 out to 2 out, regained lead approaching and jumped left last, soon headed and no chance with easy winner
led, narrowly headed 3 out, stayed challenging, jumped left last, weakened flat
held up, mistake 3rd and soon went prominent, went 2nd 4 out, every chance 3 out, still well there when hit 2 out, no extra flat
chased leaders to 4 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, effort on outside going easily from 3 out, challenged on bit last, soon led, clear and heavily eased fat
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened after next
held up towards rear, headway to lead 2 out, headed approaching last and soon weakened
in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out
in touch, lost place after 4th, struggling 4 out, tailed off when pulled up approaching last
Nonrunner
The Tother One is taken to land this with Brinkmanship and Merlin's Magic both worth noting. The selection won on his only run in a bumper and justified his short starting price on his return to the race track on his debut over hurdles at Exeter last month. He looks a classy individual and looks very well treated on his handicap debut. Brinkmanship on the other hand might not be so well treated. He won a novice event in the summer and was good enough to win a handicap at Ludlow last time out. He has top weight to carry and we feel looks vulnerable against some unexposed types. Merlin's Magic has been knocking on the door of late without getting his head in front. To be fair to him the handicapper has not been to harsh on him on reflection and with the yard in such good form he is worth noting. But for the winner we return to The Tother One.
Brinkmanship (USA) 7-2 (11-12) Held up, headway on outside after 8th, led 3 out, ridden clear flat, won at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Oct beating Madam Blaze (9-9) by 4l, 14 ran.
Merlin's Magic (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 5th, weakening when headed approaching last, 2nd of 16, 15l behind Breedsbreeze (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Quarrymount 6-1 (11-2) Pressed leader, every chance 3 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 18, 8l behind Rood Report (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Leamington Lad (IRE) 15-8fav (10-5) Chased leaders, lost place approaching 4th, not fluent 5th, no impression on leaders from 7th, 6th of 9, 13l behind Cantabilly (11-3) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Oct.
Sternenzelt (GER) 9-2 (10-11) Mid-division and keen, weakened after 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Ashwell (11-2) at Towcester 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft in May, 10 ran.
The Tother One (IRE) 2-7fav (10-12) Towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, challenged 2 out, shaken up flat, soon led, comfortably, won at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Cornish Jester (10-9) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Phardessa 16-1 (11-12) Pulled hard, held up, headway 7th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, ridden to lead flat, ran on, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in May beating City Affair (11-2) by 2l, 15 ran.
Dancing Dasi (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Held up, in touch, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next, 5th of 6, 13l behind First Feerie (10-7) at Ascot 2m mrs nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Pomander (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Mid-division, 8th after 5 out, kept on same pace from before 3 out, 5th of 23, 31l behind Lounaos (10-9) at Navan 2m 3yo mdn hdl sft in Nov '06.
Emile Zola 28-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 12, 5l behind Evelith Echo (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Coda Agency 11-1 (11-8) Jumped right throughout, led, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened, 6th of 11, 18l behind Zero (11-10) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Nov.
Obelix De Longechaux (FR) 6-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, driven along and struggling from 4 out, 6th of 8, 26l behind Bible Lord (11-9) at Lingfield 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
Mous Of Men (FR) 6-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden and challenged 2 out, kept on same pace flat, 4th of 11, 4l behind Felinious (11-6) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
