mid-division, mistake 3rd, headway chasing leaders 10th, weakened before 3 out
led until 16th, chased leaders, weakened between last 2
held up towards rear, good headway chasing leaders 16th, went 2nd before 2 out, held when fell last
behind, mistake 14th, tailed off when blundered 3 out, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders approaching 12th, left in 2nd place at the last, no chance with winner
chased leaders, weakened before 14th, tailed off and pulled up before 17th
held up towards rear, blundered 4th (water), plenty to do 4 out, stayed on from after next, left modest 4th at the last, kept on into 3rd towards finish
chased leaders, went 2nd until 8th, 2nd again 4 out until before 2 out, chased leaders, lost modest 3rd towards finish
mid-division, headway chasing leaders 10th, 2nd before 12th, led 16th, clear 3 out, left further clear last
held up towards rear, tailed off when blundered 3 out
towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 12th, weakened before 17th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, mistake 14th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before last
chased leader, blundered 4th (water), lost 2nd before 12th, chased leaders, weakened before 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before next
reminders and struggling after 9th, always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
always behind
held up in mid-division, headway on inside chasing leaders 17th, weakened 3 out
towards rear, headway 16th, weakened 3 out
Buywise can actually race off the same mark as when beating the 2017 winner Pete The Feat two lengths in this last year. That latter has just turned 15 but loves it around here so can’t be ignored. Loose Chips and Houblon Des Obeaux were fifth and sixth respectively 12 months ago and the former was also third a year earlier and beat Rock Gone in a qualifier over track and trip in November when RATHLIN ROSE was fourth. The latter pair were making their seasonal reappearances that day so should strip fitter and David Pipe’s runner is fancied to continue his love affair with the track which has seen him successful in three of his six previous visits. Le Reve also bids for a fourth course victory after a pipe-opener at Warwick in a race in which Exitas finished one place ahead. Kings Lad and Theatre Guide represent Colin Tizzard and Paddy Brennan’s mount is very well handicapped nowadays, though it’s a while since he’s shown his best form. Cultram Abbey had Band Of Blood behind at Kelso last month and travels down from Cumbria with decent claims.
Exitas (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders until mistake and unseated rider 12th, at Kempton 3m hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Loose Chips 11-2 (11-5) Led, headed approaching 2 out, soon rallied, kept on well, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Eminent Poet (11-7) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Buywise (IRE) 28-1 (11-1) Towards rear, well beaten 2 out, no impression, 11th of 12, 20l behind Aaron Lad (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Bishops Road (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) In touch when blundered and unseated rider 3rd, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp lst (1) sft in Dec.
Theatre Guide (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, slow 2nd and 5th, mistake 18th, well beaten 3 out, 10th of 11, 27 3/4l behind Loose Chips (11-1) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Kings Lad (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Towards rear, behind and struggling 10th, pulled up before 12th, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Nov.
On Tour (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway chasing leaders approaching 4 out, outpaced 2 out, plugged on again run-in, 6th of 11, 22 1/4l behind Kapcorse (10-10) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Rock Gone (IRE) 10-3jfav (11-6) Chased leaders, not fluent and lost place 14th, closed next, 2nd from 15th, no impression on winner when not fluent last, 2nd of 11, 11l behind Loose Chips (11-1) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Houblon Des Obeaux (FR) 14-1 (11-8) Prominent, led 3rd, headed 5th, lost place 7th, well beaten 4 out, 6th of 11, 24 3/4l behind Daklondike (11-9) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Le Reve (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, outpaced from 4 out, well held before 2 out, last of 3, 14l behind Beat That (11-2) at Warwick 3m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Henllan Harri (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, challenged 11th, led before next, jumped left 3 out, headed 2 out, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 18, 3 3/4l behind Virgilio (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp lst (1) gd in Jul.
Pete The Feat (IRE) 8-1 (12-6) In touch, tracked leaders 8th, disputed lead when blundered 14th, not much room on inside 18th, lost place after 3 out (usual 4 out), 4th 2 out, ridden and stayed on to take narrow 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 8, 6 1/2l behind Mendip Express (11-12) at Sandown 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Tenor Nivernais (FR) 17-2 (11-6) Led, clear at various stages, headed 14th, led again next, headed before 4 out, weakened from next, 5th of 9, 17 1/4l behind Beau Du Brizais (11-0) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Cultram Abbey 13-2 (10-5) Mid-division, tracked leaders 10th, ridden to chase leader before last (usual 2 out), stayed on to lead bypassing omitted last, ran on (final fence omitted on both circuits, low sun), won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (2) gs in Dec beating Jet Master (10-3) by 3l, 8 ran.
Band Of Blood (IRE) 2-1fav (10-10) Tracked leaders, driven after 4 out (usual 5 out), chased leader 2 out (usual 3 out), lost place before last (usual 2 out), soon ridden and beaten, 4th of 8, 9 1/4l behind Cultram Abbey (10-5) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Rathlin Rose (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway on outside 14th, disputing 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner, no extra and lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 11, 13 3/4l behind Loose Chips (11-1) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Halo Moon 8-1 (11-9) Held up behind, blundered 8th, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 12, dist behind Vice Et Vertu (11-6) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) gd in May.
