led, headed after 3 out, pushed along for effort 2 out, ridden and lost second after last
tracked leader, led going well 3 out, went clear on bridle after last, impressive
chased leaders, switched right to challenge before 2 out, ridden approaching last, went second flat, stayed on but no match for easy winner
raced keenly in rear, made headway before 3 out, pushed along 2 out, soon beaten
raced keenly in rear, jumped left 2nd, not fluent 4th, weakening when jumped left 2 out
Bothwell Bridge never gave supporters a moment’s worry when landing the odds at Warwick and looks one to follow. But he might find BRAVEMANSGAME a tough nut crack on this occasion. The latter was also odds-on last time at Exeter and eased home with the minimum of fuss. As a former winning pointer, he should be even more effective over this longer trip. Flat winner Diocletian could also benefit from this step up in distance after his fourth at Taunton but a step up to 3m is probably already on the cards for Es Perfecto and Aintree scorer Real Stone may struggle in this better race.
Bothwell Bridge (IRE) (10-12) Tracked leader until left in lead bend before 2nd, clear before 5th, shaken up between last 2, kept up to work run-in, won at Warwick 2m 3f (4) gd in Nov beating Major Dundee (10-12) by 6l, 12 ran.
Bravemansgame (FR) 8-11fav (10-12) Led until after 1f, led again 3rd, shaken up to go clear when reached at last, easily, won at Exeter 2m 1f (3) gd in Nov beating Runswick Bay (10-12) by 11l, 11 ran.
Es Perfecto (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Not much room 1st, held up towards rear, headway after 7th, 5 lengths 4th and looked held when fell 2 out, at Exeter 2m 6f (3) gd in Nov.
Real Stone 50-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, not fluent last, led final 120 yards, stayed on, won at Aintree 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Oct beating Killer Kane (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Diocletian (IRE) 13-8 (11-0) Pulled hard towards rear, headway after 3 out, soon pushed along, kept on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 11, 10 1/4l behind Atholl Street (11-0) at Taunton 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.