tracked leaders, headway to challenge after 3 out, ridden and every chance next, one pace approaching last
mid-division when fell 2nd
mid-division, driven and outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, chased leaders after 3 out, outpaced when jumped left next, no impression
left tracking leader after 1st, led 4th, ridden approaching last, stayed on well
held up, always behind
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
led until ran out after 1st
mid-division, lost place 4th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in rear, weakened 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before next
left in lead after 1st, headed 4th, tracked winner, effort 2 out, ridden and one pace approaching last
Pipe and McCoy team up in the first with Wise Owl and this one is impossible to oppose, John Forbes and Bob's Dream look to be the main dangers. Rated 81 on the flat, this son of Danehill didn't waste any time in winning over hurdles. On only his second start at the winter game he comfortably beat two stable companions in a similar race to this at Taunton. He did idle in front but that was probably down to greenness and with more improvement expected he should be capable of following up this afternoon. John Forbes has earned a rating of 110 with some solid efforts in handicaps and novice events, he will be hard to keep out of the money. Bob's Dream belied odds of 100/1 when chasing home a decent type at Musselburgh last time out and easily looks best of the others. So in a race that lacks any real depth Wise Owl has to be the pick.
Wise Owl 2-5fav (11-3) In touch, led 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, all out, won at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs beating Ocean Pride (10-2) by 1l, 11 ran.
Bernix 66-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 4 out, kept on same pace from next, 4th of 17, 9l behind Cedrus Libani (11-11) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Bleu Pois (IRE) 5-2 (11-3) Soon behind, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Cromwell Court (11-3) at Hexham 2m nh mdn hdl (5) sft.
Bob's Dream (IRE) 100-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Key Time (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd.
John Forbes 15-2 (11-7) Never reached beyond mid-division, 8th of 13, 39l behind Scaramouche (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy.
Roman Army (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, soon weakened, completely tailed off, 14th of 15, well behind Elkras Wings (10-8) at Wexford 2m hcp hdl 0-95 hvy in Oct.
Stoneriggs Silver 150-1 (11-5) Led, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra flat, 5th of 6, 9l behind Crocodile Dundee (11-5) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (2) hvy in Jan.
Xlnt Stealth 100-1 (11-0) Held up, headway and in touch 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 11, well behind Cromwell Court (11-3) at Hexham 2m nh mdn hdl (5) sft.
