chased leaders, went 3rd approaching 3 out, soon ridden, one pace, no impression on first 2 when lost 3rd last
tracked leader, led 6th, ridden, headed between last 2, one pace run-in
mistake 1st, chased leaders to 4th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, some headway approaching 3 out, ridden, weakened next
always behind, tailed off from 7th
always behind, tailed when pulled up before 6th
chased leaders until weakened under pressure after 7th
hit 2nd, always behind, tailed off 7th
chased leader until driven, weakened after 7th
not always fluent, led to after 3rd, stayed front rank, chased leaders 7th to 3 out, weakened and hit next
mid-division, behind from 7th, tailed off when blundered 2 out
chased leader, ridden, hit 6th, outpaced next, driven, hit 3 out, went 3rd under pressure last, no chance with first 2
led after 3rd, headed 6th, weakened rapidly after 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, steady headway 6th, went 2nd 3 out, led between last 2, stayed on well run-in
in rear until fell 5th
Withdrawn
Wogan is the pick here ahead of stablemate Shining Strand, Napoleon, Odiham and Killenaule, with Champion's Day and Grenoli both to be noted for future reference. Once again, some potentially useful timber toppers turn out, none more so than Wogan who created a favourable impression when chasing home the favourite Pirate Flagship on his debut over hurdles on this track in November. He had earlier caught the eye when second in a Worcester bumper on his racecourse bow in April, and with that latest run under his belt, he will be fancied to go one better. Shining Strand runs in the Queen's colours and bids to atone after refusing to take part at Doncaster just over three weeks ago. Second in a handicap over 21 furlongs here prior to that, he will probably need further to be seen to best effect. Napoleon has a penalty for his victory at Doncaster where he did not beat much, and it will be interesting to see if there is any support instead for his stablemate Grenoli, a French import related to staying sorts. Odiham was a fairly useful staying handicapper on the Flat and will have learnt from his hurdles introduction on Town Moor where he did not jump fluently. Champion's Day finished second in a Group 3 in Germany in October and if anywhere near fit could make his presence felt on this, his first start for Jonjo O'Neill, but with a bit of experience to count on, it is Wogan that we look to as the answer.
Napoleon (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, soon led, hit next, ridden and kept on flat, won at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (D) gf in Dec beating Cloudless Dawn (10-11) by 1l, 17 ran.
Shining Strand 11-4fav (11-5) refused in race won by Down's Folly (10-6) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in Dec, 15 ran.
Adventurist 12-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 17, 6l behind Napoleon (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (D) gf in Dec.
Champion's Day (GER) 16-1 (8-7) Prominent, led briefly 3f out, kept on when headed, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Deva (9-0) at Baden-Baden 1m 3f Grp 3 sft in Oct '04 (Flat).
Clanrye (IRE) (11-7) won at Toomebridge 3m ire ptp gd in Oct beating Drumintine (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Country Rally 50-1 (11-4) With winner until over 6f out, weakened over 5f out, 13th of 15, well behind Tickers Way (10-8) at Stratford 2m mdn nhf (H) gf in Jun.
Darn Good 5-1 (8-10) Held up, ridden and weakened 3f out, 8th of 10, 11l behind Mersey Sound (9-1) at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) frm in Sept (Flat).
Grenoli (FR) (8-11) 10th of 12, more than 1 1/2l behind Green Boy (8-11) at Morlaix 1m 4f stk gd in Jun (Flat).
Harbour Rock (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Mid-division, lost place halfway, 12th of 13, well behind Senora Snoopy (10-11) at Towcester 2m nhf (H) gs in Dec.
Irish Raptor (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Behind, ridden and beaten before 9th, behind when unseated rider 4 out in race won by Copsale Lad (11-7) at Lingfield 2m 4f beg chs (E) gd in Oct, 13 ran.
Killenaule (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mistake 1st, soon mid-division, headway and in touch from 5th, chased leaders 4 out, no impression when hit 2 out, 4th of 17, 8l behind dhtrs Il Duce (10-12) & Bengo (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f nh nov hdl (D) gs in Mar.
Lord Ryeford (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened well over 3f out, 7th of 17, 39l behind Night Safe (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (H) gd in Dec.
Odiham 13-8fav (10-12) Chased leaders, reminders 5th, ridden and no impression 3 out, 5th of 12, 19l behind L'Antartique (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Teal Saqqara (FR) Shaamit gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Wogan 11-4 (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, kept on, 2nd of 17, 6l behind Pirate Flagship (11-2) at Newbury 2m nh mdn hdl (D) gd in Nov.
Mrs Fizziwig 33-1 (10-4) Mid-division, driven over 4f out, headway 3f out, one pace final 2f, 5th of 17, 10l behind The Grey Man (10-8) at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gs in Apr.
Christon Cane 14-1 (11-2) Held up, behind halfway, stayed on from 2f out but not trouble leaders, 6th of 14, 11l behind Lin d'Estruval (11-2) at Lingfield 2m nhf (H) pol in Apr '04.
Musicalish 66-1 (10-11) Always behind, 16th of 17, well behind Night Safe (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (H) gd in Dec.
