led, headed 6th, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, rallied and every chance when fell last
held up, took close order 5th, led after 5 out, ridden 2 out, headed and no extra flat
chased leader to 5th, outpaced 5 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up lame before 3 out
tracked leaders, headway to lead 6th, headed after 5 out, ridden and weakened from next
held up, headway approaching 4 out, 2 lengths 2nd when blundered 2 out, driven to lead flat, kept on
in rear, mistake 2nd, chased leaders 4 out, one pace and no impression when left 3rd last
The booking of Timmy Murphy for the ride on Brave Thought catches the eye and the partnership edge a percentage verdict over Do L'Enfant D' Eau and the tough-as-teak Through The Rye, who may be the biggest danger in a really tightly-knit handicap where none of the sextet can easily be ruled out. Flight Command and Sands Rising also come into the argument on the best of their previous efforts and are likely to do their bit to ensure this goes right down to the wire. Do L'Enfant D'Eau made the most of a good chance at the weights when he beat the selection at Ayr earlier in the month. However, he is now 7lb higher and, as he has been struggling to hold his form this season, there is too much guesswork involved in assuming that he will be in same frame of mind today. Through The Rye - a one-time Derby contender - can never be ruled out at this level and is now on an attractive looking mark. J P McNamara gets on very well with the 10-year-old and, having helped the gelding to a good run of form around this time last year, it is noteworthy that the Irishman will be back in the plate today. Nevertheless, Timmy Murphy's ability with hold-up horses may prove to be a more significant jockey booking on this occasion. Brave Thought goes well on a galloping surface and he has the right man aboard to be cajoled along with a bold late effort anticipated today.
Through The Rye 16-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, blundered 6th, headway 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Master Sebastian (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Flight Command 18-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, mid-division, reminders after 4th, headway 7th, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 11, 18l behind Barton Nic (10-0) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan.
Do L'Enfant d'Eau (FR) 6-1 (10-2) Tracked leader, led approaching 3 out, kept on well, won at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft beating Brave Thought (10-4) by 6l, 8 ran.
Encore Cadoudal (FR) 25-1 (11-5) In touch, ridden 4 out, weakened after 3 out, behind when mistake last, 5th of 11, 32l behind Executive Decision (11-9) at Leicester 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Brave Thought (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders after 4 out, chased winner after 2 out, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Do L'enfant D'eau (10-2) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
Sands Rising 7-1 (11-5) Held up behind, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, ridden and one pace approaching last, no impression, 5th of 9, 24l behind Miss Pross (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
