led, ridden and narrowly headed when hit 2 out, chased winner after, no impression last, no extra run-in
tracked leader to 7th, hit 9th, mistake and weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 7th, led narrowly 2 out, in command last, kept on well run-in
jumped poorly in rear, mistake 1st, slow jumps 4th and 5th, soon lost touch, mistake 9th, tailed off and pulled up before next
chased leaders, mistake 9th, ridden and hit 4 out, mistake and weakened next
soon tracking leaders, slow jump 9th, ridden after 4 out, hung left between last 2, 3rd and beaten when blundered last
Wogan had little chance behind Denman at Cheltenham last time and should find this company less exacting but Nicky Henderson's gelding is likely to do better when sent over further and a better bet may be Briareus with Killaghy Castle rated the best of the rest. The selection lacks any chasing experience but was easily the best of these over hurdles and is sure to have been well schooled by trainer Alan King ahead of his chasing bow. Dictum has not had a great deal of racing in recent seasons and may be best watched on his return from another long absence so a bigger threat may come from Killaghy Castle. Nick Gifford's gelding is the least exposed of these and it is interesting that he is put over the larger obstacles after just four career starts. Briareus has a touch of class about him though and he is preferred.
Briareus 20-1 (11-10) In touch until mistake and weakened 5th, 6th of 18, 20l behind Brave Inca (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Dictum (GER) 25-1 (11-3) Behind from 4th, mistake 9th, kept on for 3rd, 3rd of 4, well behind Voy Por Ustedes (11-1) at Wincanton 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Killaghy Castle (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Mid-division, good headway on outside to lead 2 out, in command last, hung left run-in, ran on well, won at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Mar beating Sharajan (11-7) by 3l, 17 ran.
Oscar Ireland (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Soon chased leaders, closer in 8th before 3 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before straight, 9th of 18, 30l behind Kasnani (11-5) at Limerick 2m mdn hdl gs in May.
Wogan 9-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, weakened 3 out, 5th of 7, 48l behind Denman (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs (2) gs.
O'maley (FR) (10-12) 3rd of 13, 7l behind Outre Mer Fix (10-1) at Auteuil 2m 2f 4yo hdl in Apr.
