made most until approaching 3 out, weakened next
took keen hold, pressed leader, led approaching 3 out, clear before last, easily
tracked leaders, mistake 1st, not fluent 7th, jumped slowly 9th, challenged 3 out, no impression last
held up, took keen hold, mistake 9th, closed after 4 out, close up when blundered and unseated rider next
held up, soon in touch, 4th when blundered and unseated rider 11th
held up, took keen hold, mistake 4 out, soon weakened
Trendelenburg had an entry in the handicap hurdle here yesterday and would probably struggle under a penalty in this. Stablemate Fool's Wildcat also had an alternate engagement yesterday, while Bocciani may be found wanting in his hat-trick bid as there are a few chasing newcomers in this with the scope to go to much better things this winter. Blenheim Brook has won three times over hurdles but has always looked a chaser in the making and should thrive now tackling the larger obstacles but he may just meet his match here in CHAMPION COURT. Thought good enough to tackle the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, Martin Keighley's six-year-old ran a fine race to finish fourth. He's bred to be a chaser and can start off his new career with a victory in this though Astracad is also worth noting for future reference.
Bocciani (GER) 15-8fav (10-9) Led to 7th, tracked leader, 10 lengths down in 2nd when left in lead and hampered 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Sedgefield 2m nov chs (4) gd in May beating King In Waiting (11-5) by 6l, 4 ran.
Astracad (FR) 14-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, close 3rd after 3 out, weakened after next, 14th of 23, 32l behind Sir Des Champs (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Blenheim Brook (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Held up in 4th, closed 8th, soon went 2nd, not fluent 9th, led approaching 2 out, clear when not fluent at hurdle, edged left flat, easily, won at Perth 3m nov hdl (2) gd in Apr beating Mic's Delight (11-6) by 22l, 4 ran.
Champion Court (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway approaching 3 out, ridden after 2 out, went 4th approaching last, no impression on leaders, 4th of 18, 13l behind Bobs Worth (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Fool's Wildcat (USA) 20-1 (10-5) Prominent, 2nd halfway, mistake 4 out, ridden and dropped towards rear 3 out, soon no extra and weakened, 8th of 9, 38l behind Original Option (11-1) at Bellewstown 2m 4f hcp hdl gf in Aug.
Uncle Taffy (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, closer in 4th after 5 out, stumbled briefly on landing next, no extra from 3 out, 8th of 14, well behind Delphi Mountain (11-12) at Killarney 2m 1f beg chs gs in Aug.
Trendelenburg (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Towards rear, pecked 4 out, left moderate 4th and kept on same pace from 3 out, 4th of 6, 17l behind Slieveardagh (11-7) at Listowel 2m 4f nov chs.
