chased leader until 5th, went 2nd again 3 out, chased winner from 2 out, no impression, lost 2nd towards finish
held up, stayed on from 2 out, still only 5th and plenty to do when not fluent last, strong run flat to take 2nd close home, finished well but no chance with winner
chased leaders went 2nd approaching 6th until approaching 3 out where mistake, weakened next, tailed off
mistake 2nd always in rear, struggling 4 out, tailed off
raced wide, in touch until lost place 5th, behind from 4 out, eased, tailed off
held up in mid-division, steady headway 4 out, stayed on to 3rd between last 2, no impression, weakened to 4th final 150 yards
mainly in rear, never a factor
led and soon clear until before 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, lost 2nd between last 2, no extra flat
took keen hold towards rear, never a factor, tailed off
towards rear, sone headway approaching 3 out, ridden in 5th when hit 2 out and hung left under pressure soon after
in touch, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
took keen hold early, tracked leaders on inside, pushed along to challenge 3 out, led approaching 2 out, clear and well in control when went left last
Fergall ran well on his reappearance at Ascot and has every chance in this. Brassick made a winning start over hurdles at Huntingdon and has scope for further improvement while Pearls Legend won at Worcester in the summer, though it's a worry that he was well beaten on soft ground at Fontwell last time. Uxizandre was expected to open his account at Market Rasen last month but could only manage third. He may have needed that but we still prefer DRUM VALLEY here. Oliver Sherwood's gelding showed he was heading in the right direction with a comfortable victory at Bangor and can follow up under a penalty. Benefit Cut and Royal Guardsman may be best of the rest though Billing and Cocktails At Dawn should be monitored for future reference.
Brassick 5-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, slow 4 out, led before 2 out,strongly challenged when mistake last, kept on well, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Present View (10-12) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Drum Valley 5-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders on inside, switched outside to challenge approaching 3 out, led soon after, ridden last, kept on, won at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Beauboreen (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Pearls Legend 9-2 (11-5) Settled towards rear but in touch, headway 5th, every chance 3 out, weakened next, modest 3rd, 3rd of 6, 49l behind Easter Day (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Benefit Cut (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Held up, pulled hard, mistake 3 out, stayed on to take 3rd 2 out, went 2nd post, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Tealissio (10-12) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Billing (IRE) Milan gelding out of Melodic Tune.
Cocktails At Dawn 9-4 (11-7) Ld, strongly pressed after 2out, dropped to 2nd when fell last, in a race won by Old Kilcash (11-7) at Horse And Jockey 3m ire ptp gs in Mar, 12 ran.
Dalavar (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, some headway 6th, weakened before next, tailed off, 5th of 10, well behind Coneygree (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Fergall (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Took keen hold, led and clear, jumped right 1st, came back to field 5th, mistake 3 out, ridden after 2 out, headed flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Many Clouds (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f NH mdn hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Flaming Charmer (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, mistakes, outpaced 4 out, stayed on flat, no impression, 6th of 12, 21l behind Many Clouds (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f NH mdn hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Royal Guardsman (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Mid-division on inside, not much room 5f out, outpaced over 3f out, ridden to chase leaders inside final 2f, weakened final furlong, 10th of 20, 17l behind Champagne Fever (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m N H flat G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Uncle Pettit (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Prominent, outpaced over 5f out, weakened over 4f out, 11th of 16, well behind Oscar Rock (11-0) at Newbury 2m NH flat (6) sft in Nov.
Uxizandre (FR) 1-2fav (10-12) Held up, ridden and headway between 3 out and 2 out, jumped left and led briefly last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 2l behind The Mumper (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
