led until not fluent 4th, chasing leader to 3 out, beaten when blundered 2 out, jumped badly right last
in touch, not fluent 8th, headway 9th, chased leader next, upsides 2 out, led last, driven out
tracked leader to before 3 out, weakened quickly, soon eased when no chance
raced on inside, held up, hit 3rd, weakened before 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
chased leaders in 4th, not looked keen and driven along from 8th, stayed on to chase leading pair 3 out, kept on to take 2nd, run-in
tracked leaders, led 4th, hit 3 out, joined and pressed when hit next, headed last, no extra and lost 2nd run-in
raced on inside, soon well behind, tailed off 7th, pulled up before 9th
Brankley Boy gets the confident vote in the handicap hurdle to complete the card, with Come Bye and Jaloux d'Estruval the dangers. The selection was having his first run since March when only narrowly beaten behind Gritti Palace at Warwick last time. He is sure to come on for that run, he hails from a top yard and he is proven on this soft ground so he has an outstanding chance. Come Bye will give him the most to think about as he won well last time when beating Piran at Fontwell. He is another with form on this surface and he rates as the main danger to our selection. Jaloux d'Estruval would have claim on the pick of his form but he is thoroughly exposed and this 9-year-old may find this company too hot. The rest don't look good enough and for the winner we will stick with Brankley Boy.
Come Bye (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Made all, shaken up approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on from last, readily, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs beating Piran (10-6) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Brankley Boy 6-5fav (10-12) Held up and keen, mistake 1st, headway approaching 5th, ridden to lead 2 out, hit last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, shd behind Gritti Palace (10-7) at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Jaloux d'Estruval (FR) 16-1 (10-6) Always behind, 12th of 17, well behind Huka Lodge (10-0) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Midnight Gold 13-2 (11-2) Led until headed and weakened after 8th, tailed off when pulled up * out in race won by Dunbell Boy (11-2) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (F) sft in Oct, 9 ran.
Eljutan (IRE) 40-1 (10-8) In touch, ridden 5th, lost touch next, 6th of 13, 30l behind Wenger (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft in Dec.
At The Double 11-1 (10-11) Prominent, hit 3 out, ridden and one pace from 2 out, 5th of 9, 9l behind Vicentio (10-0) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in May.
Geography (IRE) 50-1 (10-4) Tracked leader to 7th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Businessmoney Jake (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
