behind, outpaced 4th, soon tailed off, pulled up before last
held up, in rear, smooth headway after 3 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, held near finish
held up, in rear, effort after 3 out, soon beaten
chased winner, weakened when hit 3 out
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace under pressure before next
held up, in rear, tailed off 3 out
tracking leaders when ran out 5th
prominent, chased winner 4 out, weakened quickly 2 out
Brigadier du Bois can land a weak event at the expense of Penny's Crown, with Danse Macabre and Harley worth a mention as well. Brigadier du Bois has only ever been partnered by Leighton Aspell since coming over from France two years ago, and is still looking for his first win, so maybe the drop to this company and a new pilot will work the oracle. Lucy Wadham has her small string in good order at present, and there was some encouragement in his third to Un Autre Auspere at Fakenham a fortnight ago on his return to hurdling. The step up in trip should suit and he is taken to get the losses back as he was well fancied at the Norfolk track. Penny's Crown won well at Uttoxeter but has more to do now, while ex-Irish Danse Macabre will go on the ground but may need this first outing since June, as will Harley. On recent evidence, it should pay to side with Brigadier du Bois.
Danse Macabre (IRE) 5-2fav (10-11) Prominent, 4th approaching halfway, soon pushed along, mistake 5 out, weakened before next, tailed off when eased straight, 15th of 16, well behind Samotwo (10-8) at Roscommon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-102 gf in Jun.
Coolbythepool 3-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 5th, no impression from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Dominican Monk (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gf in May '04.
Penny's Crown 5-2fav (10-12) Chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, clear before next, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f cnd sll hdl (G) gs in Oct beating Countback (10-5) by 6l, 6 ran.
Breezer 16-1 (11-3) Mid-division until after 5th, 11th of 17, 38l behind Damarisco (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Apr.
Land Rover Lad 12-1 (9-7) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Party Games (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gd in May, 12 ran.
Brigadier du Bois (FR) 7-2jt-fav (10-3) In touch, headway after 6th, chased leaders approaching 2 out, led after last, headed and no extra near finish, 3rd of 13, nk behind Un Autre Espere (9-7) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Oct.
Harley 11-1 (10-0) Led, clear after 7th, ridden 3 out, blundered 2 out, weakened and headed approaching last, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Tomina (11-8) at Newbury 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gs in Apr.
Before The Mast (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Towards rear, never near leaders, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Magot De Grugy (11-3) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Oct, 15 ran.
