tracked leader, ridden into the 9th to get slightly closer, pushed along to keep in touch entering final circuit, firmly ridden and off the bridle when a mistake 4 out, soon adrift and never closer in the home straight
stumbled and unseated rider at the 1st
led, a slight blunder when attempting a huge leap at the 3rd, jumped well thereafter, well clear entering the home straight, sauntered home
Minella Warrior has failed to build on October’s promising start over fences when second at Cheltenham and is fitted with additional headgear. THE BUTCHER SAID edges this at the weights and having won four of only 10 starts over hurdles, Olly Murphy’s charge is taken to make a winning debut over the larger obstacles on his second outing after wind surgery. Sussex Road is without a win after 61 attempts but will pick-up prize money for completing.
Minella Warrior (IRE) 5-4fav (10-12) Went left 1st, tracked leader until 2nd, chased leaders, not fluent 11th, went badly left next, ridden before 14th, weakened and mistake 2 out, last of 4, 17l behind Young Wolf (10-12) at Uttoxeter 3m (3) gd in Jul.
Sussex Road (IRE) 250-1 (10-0) Always behind, tailed off 5th, 6th of 10, dist behind Demon D'Aunou (11-4) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Jul.
The Butcher Said (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, ridden and every chance before last, kept on and held by winner run-in, 2nd of 20, 1 3/4l behind Our Power (11-3) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
