led until 3rd, pressed leader, led again 7th until 10th, in front again 12th, over 1 length ahead and good jump at the last, wandered right and hung fire run-in, soon straightened and stayed on, always doing enough
chased leading pair, went 2nd before 4 out, hung left before next, lost 2nd at the last, stayed on same pace in 3rd
ran in snatches, chased leaders, pushed along before 7th, lost place next, jumped slowly and reminders 9th, tailed off 13th, soon pulled up
mid-division, steady headway 10th, chased leaders 14th, weakened before 2 out
pressed leader, led narrowly 3rd, headed 7th, led again 10th until 12th, chased winner, hit 14th and pushed along, lost 2nd before 4 out, weakened next
chased leaders on inside, reminders after 5th and before 13th where mistake and soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
held up in last pair, closer at 10th, weakened and behind 14th, tailed off
waited with in rear, steady headway on inside before 14th, went over 1 length 2nd at the last, stayed on as winner wandered/idled run-in, always just held
NonRunner
NonRunner
Most of these have a bit to prove at present but not Keep Wondering, who won his latest outing at Haydock. Both victories under Rules so far, however, have come over shorter distances. DJANGO DJANGO won this in 2020 when 5lb higher in the weights. Though he lost his way last season, there have been excuses for a couple of runs at Exeter this term and he might be worth one more chance with Jonjo O’Neill Jr preferring him to stablemate Young Wolf. Storm Control and Hawthorn Cottage are both eased in grade and Cuban Pete was third over track and trip last season when 6lb higher but has shown little since.
Storm Control (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Led, headed and tracked after 8th, ridden and weakened before 3 out, pulled up before last, at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec.
Landofsmiles (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, went 2nd 14th, led next, pushed along and headed before 4 out, lost 2nd and weakened quickly soon after, tailed off, 9th of 12, dist behind Saint Palais (11-3) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Django Django (FR) 12-1 (11-12) In touch in chasing group, blundered badly 14th, soon weakened, slowing up before 16th, soon pulled up, at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Keep Wondering (IRE) 7-2fav (11-3) In touch in mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway 11th, went 2nd from 4 out, switched right and 3 lengths down flat, stayed on, led close home, won at Haydock 2m 6f hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Thomas Macdonagh (11-7) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Hawthorn Cottage (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Jumped boldly, led and mostly clear from before 9th until 14th, ridden and headed before 2 out, ridden and lost 2nd before hit last, weakened badly and lost two places run-in, 5th of 8, 16 1/4l behind Silver Forever (10-12) at Newbury 2m 7f lst (1) gs in Dec.
Young Wolf (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Held up, ridden 4 out, no headway, eased before last, finished tailed off, 8th of 11, dist behind Favori De Sivola (10-12) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Cuban Pete (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Towards rear, jumped right 10th and lost ground, behind when pulled up 2 out (usual 3 out), at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Tango Boy (IRE) 5-4fav (11-11) Led, slow and headed briefly 12th, joined when pecked on landing and headed 4 out, weakened before 2 out, last of 4, 32 1/2l behind Bavington Bob (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
The Devils Drop (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Midfield, pushed along after 17th, weakened quickly, pulled up before 3 out, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Mellow Ben (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Keen in touch in rear, pushed along 2 out, never on terms, 6th of 7, 17 1/2l behind Not At Present (11-11) at Kempton 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Wayfinder (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Mid-division on inside, good headway chasing leaders before 17th, every chance next, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 12, dist behind Saint Palais (11-3) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
