chased leader, not fluent 6th or 7th, closed next, led before 2 out, clear approaching last, stayed on
led, clear until 8th, ridden and headed when mistake 2 out, stayed on same pace, no impression on winner
held up in last, not fluent and closed form 8th, went 3rd 2 out, weakened flat
tracked leaders, 4th and one pace 2 out, stayed on to press for 2nd from last until no extra towards finish
SPEEDY BRUERE looked promising when recording a double here and at Fontwell around this time last year but things haven't worked for him so far this season. He'll never get a better chance to get back on track, however, as a repeat of the form he showed when second at Sandown three runs ago would suffice. Bennys Quest continues to run well but his last two runs suggest he's probably in the handicapper's grip now. Le Bacardy should be the pick of Tony Carroll's pair as he kept on well at Southwell last week when possibly just in need of the run.
Le Bacardy (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, stayed on from 2 out, nearest at finish, 4th of 7, 12l behind Memorabilia (11-7) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd.
Speedy Bruere (FR) 9-2 (10-13) Disputed 2nd, definite 2nd 3rd, went right 5th, lost 2nd next and reminders, went 2nd again 8th, led 4 out, headed well before next, lost 2nd 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 4, 13l behind Umberto D'olivate (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
Bennys Quest (IRE) 5-4fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd before 3 out, led going well next, ridden before last, headed and unable to quicken flat, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Cruise In Style (10-4) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Sep.
Missionaire (USA) 6-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway to dispute 3rd 7th, definite 3rd before next, went 2nd 5 out, ridden and keeping on in 3 lengths 2nd when fell 2 out, in a race won by Riddleofthesands (11-8) at Chepstow 2m hcp 0-100 (5) hvy in Nov, 6 ran.
