tracked leaders on outside, not fluent 7th, outpaced after 4 out, no impression after, stayed on flat
took keen hold, led after 2nd, headed 5th, lost place when hit 6th, soon weakened, pulled up before 8th
led until after 2nd, led 5th, ridden and headed before 3 out, stayed on same pace flat
tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, ridden to lead before 3 out, went left last, edged right flat, driven out
Vocaliser made a hot favourite work hard for victory at Leicester earlier this month having won at the Midlands course earlier. He has gone up another couple of pounds but may be the one to take advantage if ENOLA GAY doesn’t take to fences. The latter won a maiden hurdle at Catterick last month, however, and looks the type to make a better chaser. Master Of Verse was tailed off on his debut for a new yard at Ludlow and is 0-5 over fences while The Gipper has been in woeful form over hurdles.
The Gipper (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Led until 1st, tracked winner until 6th, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 6, dist behind Chti Balko (11-12) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Master Of Verse (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, pulled hard, headway 4th, led next, headed before 4 out, soon weakened, jumped left and mistake 3 out, 5th of 6, dist behind Tree Of Liberty (11-5) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Enola Gay (FR) 15-8fav (11-6) Made virtually all, ridden and strongly pressed last, stayed on strongly run-in, driven out, won at Catterick 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec beating Teescomponents Lad (11-6) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Vocaliser (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out until 2 out, went 2nd again and stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Not Another Muddle (11-12) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
