tracked leader, challenged 2 out, driven upsides last, stayed on to lead close home
held up in 4th place, mistake 7th, went 3rd 9th, pushed along and stayed on same pace from 3 out, no chance with leading duo
jumped well although slightly right at times, led, slight peck 2nd, pushed along and pressed 2 out, joined last, driven and kept on run-in, headed close home
tracked leading pair until blundered badly and dropped to last 9th, never able to recover, tailed off and jumped right 3 out
NonRunner
NonRunner
FINNEGAN’S GARDEN won from out of the handicap over course and distance last time and can go in again. He’s preferred to the other recent winner, Spock, who was also winning from out of the weights when successful at Hereford. Bramble Brook wasn’t helped by a loose horse when a losing favourite at Ffos Lass in October while Sir Hubert shaped well enough when third at Lingfield on his chasing bow. Ramore Will won on fast going here in September and makes more appeal than the struggling Whispering Harry.
Bramble Brook 11-8fav (11-11) Prominent, led 2nd, headed 4 out, rallied 2 out, kept on same pace, lost 2nd closing stages, 3rd of 7, 14 1/4l behind Patricks Park (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Ramore Will (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Close up in rear, headway 4 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 6l behind Touch Kick (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Whispering Harry 6-1 (11-4) Held up off the pace in last pair, mistake 4th, lost touch 9th, plugged on under pressure in modest 6th run-in, never involved, 6th of 8, dist behind Lake Field (10-10) at Newbury 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Sir Hubert 16-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, good headway on inside chasing leaders in 3rd before 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 12 1/2l behind Church Hall (12-2) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Spock (FR) 18-1 (10-0) Made all, hard pressed 2 out, driven clear between last 2 until approaching last, ridden and stayed on well under pressure flat, won at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Shanty Town (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Finnegan's Garden (IRE) 5-4fav (10-0) Held up, jumped big and rider lost iron briefly 4th, good headway tracking leaders approaching 8th, soon 2nd, around 1 length down going well when left clear 10th, in no danger after, won at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Dec beating Easter In Paris (11-5) by 35l, 5 ran.