held up towards rear, ridden before 2 out, some headway before last, soon weakened
tracked leader, pushed along before 3 out, every chance before 2 out, one pace
tracked leaders, weakened before 3 out
led to 2 out, ridden and weakened before last
held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, led 2 out, clear before last
held up towards rear, pushed along and headway before 2 out, chased winner before last, kept on same pace, no impression
held up in touch, headway before 2 out, soon every chance, kept on run-in
held up towards rear, not fluent 8th, blundered and weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, pushed along 12th, outpaced next, ridden before 2 out, kept on
towards rear, pushed along 3rd, blundered 5th, saddle slipped and soon pulled up
Sound Stage hasn't won since March 2010 but nearly always gives his running. He's made the frame on all three 2013 starts and looks a solid each-way option once again. Wait No More obliged over course and distance last time and finds himself 8lb higher as a result. He's another likely to run his race and is essential shortlist material. Le Grand Chene is a possible but WHISKEY AND RED, a rare Irish raider for Colin Bowe, has been runner-up in a couple of really competitive handicap hurdles in his homeland the last twice and is equally at home over the larger obstacles. He also has a hurdling success to his name on the forecast good ground.
Whiskey And Red (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Soon prominent in chasing group, improved to lead straight, joined 2 out, just headed before last, kept on well run-in without quite matching winner, 2nd of 17, nk behind Sarah Battle (10-4) at Clonmel 3m hcp hdl 80-95 in May.
Sound Stage 10-1 (11-7) Chased leader until before 8th, went 2nd again 12th until before 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Lough Derg Way (11-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Wait No More (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Made all, jumped right last 2, ridden clear flat, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf beating Forever My Friend (11-8) by 7l, 7 ran.
Michigan Assassin (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Prominent, led 2nd, hit 4th, headed 10th, bumped 12th, shuddering blunder 14th, pulled up before next, in a race won by On The Bridge (11-2) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Oct, 12 ran.
Next Oasis (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Coon chasing leading trio until dropped to 5th approaching 7th, soon struggling, tailed off, 5th of 8, 30l behind Baby Mix (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m nov chs (3) gf.
Font 14-1 (11-7) Always in rear, tailed off, 5th of 9, dis behind Loch Ba (11-5) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Lucy's Legend (IRE) 4-1fav (11-10) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders 7th, outpaced after 4 out, lost modest 4th 2 out, weakened, 5th of 11, 29l behind Wester Ross (11-9) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Le Grand Chene (FR) 10-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, not fleunt 2nd, pushed along before 6th, lost place 4 out, well beaten after, 9th of 10, 34l behind Castlelawn (11-13) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd.
Standing Ovation (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) In rear, not fluent 3rd, jumped slowly and lost touch briefly next, ridden after 10th, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 46l behind Wiffy Chatsby (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd.
Interpleader 10-1 (11-10) Led until 3rd, led before next, clear approaching 7th until after 11th, headed 12th, mistake next, well beaten from 16th, tailed off, 6th of 12, well behind Lord Lescribaa (10-11) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp ch 0-95 (5) gf.
