held up in touch, challenged 3f out, led over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, stayed on
soon chasing leader, ridden and lost 2nd 3f out, hung left and weakened 2f out
held up, headway halfway, weakened and hung left 4f out
prominent until ridden and weakened over 5f out, tailed off
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
hung right throughout, took keen hold in touch, behind final 10f, tailed off
held up, behind from halfway, tailed off
As is standard, the betting will be of vital importance in this finale, however we will side with ex-pointer Openditch ahead of Victor Dartnall's Lodge Lane. The selection was very impressive when spreadeagling the field on his bumper debut and he looks up to defying a penalty today. That run was on better ground that he will face today, however he handled testing conditions on his pointing wins and so looks to hold major claims today. Course and distance winner Lodge Lane is of obvious interest given the manner of his win last month. However that wasn't the strongest of races and whilst he is obviously a horse with a decent future ahead of him, he may just be up against it today. Or D' Oudaires represents a very shrewd stable so must be capable of gaining place money at least based on his fair third last time out, whilst Petit Turk comes from a respected stable so must be watched for signs of confidence. Ultimately we will side with Henrietta Knight's Openditch to take this finale and go on to better things.
Lodge Lane (IRE) 7-2 (10-11) Held up, headway halfway, led well over 2f out, drew clear inside final furlong, won at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) hvy in Dec beating Edgbriar (10-11) by 4l, 13 ran.
Openditch (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Led 1f, remained close up, led 5f out, clear from 3f out, very easily, won at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Dec beating Rood Report (10-9) by 18l, 13 ran.
Hops's Trouble Double Trigger gelding out of winning hurdler/chaser Hops And Pops.
Murphys Million (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Chased leader, led halfway, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 19l behind Money Order (10-7) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Or d'Oudairies (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 4f out, soon headed, one pace final 2f, 3rd of 13, 13l behind Digital Media (11-4) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Petit Turk (FR) Baby Turk gelding, half-brother to minor winning jumpers in France.
Bobbie's Quest (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) In touch, lost place and behind over 5f out, last of 6, well behind Den of Iniquity (11-9) at Warwick 2m nhf lst (1) hvy.
Hazeam 66-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, soon behind, 8th of 15, 28l behind Quartano (11-2) at Cheltenham 1m 4f nhf lst (1) hvy.
