held up in rear, mistake and ridden 4 out, not fluent next, soon weakened
chased leaders, lost place after 7th, behind 4 out
led, ridden and headed before last, no impression on winner flat
in rear on outside, not that fluent and not travel well, headway after 3 out, went 3rd last, stayed on to close on 2nd, no impression on winner
prominent, not fluent 8th or 4 out, lost place after 3 out
took keen hold early stages, in touch, went 3rd 2 out until mistake last, one pace
chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, not fluent 3 out, no impression, well held when not fluent 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 7th, went 2nd from 3 out, led before last, clear flat, stayed on well
chased leaders, jumped right 3 out, weakening when hit 2 out
Book of Gold should benefit from a switch back to hurdles. Holly Bush Henry alternates between hurdles and fences but hasn’t won in almost a year. Oh Land Abloom ran a cracker in a Pertemps qualifier here nine days ago and Driftwood Haze was only beaten a neck at Ludlow. Unblinking justified short odds here in November but his ability to stay this far has to be taken on trust. Captain Cargo will definitely stay as he was second over course and distance three weeks ago while Doncaster scorer Ratfacemcdougall has scope for further improvement. OCEAN COVE met trouble in-running when third at Uttoxeter in November. He’s has wind surgery since and there is every chance that this longer trip will suit and he holds the returning Sir Will on his win at Ayr last April.
Sir Will (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) With leader, led narrowly from 3rd, not fluent 4 out, headed narrowly next, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, held when lost 3rd flat, 4th of 11, 3l behind Ocean Cove (11-2) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Holly Bush Henry (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, outpaced 4 out, well beaten after next, last of 10, 35 1/2l behind Keeper Hill (10-13) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in Jan.
Oh Land Abloom (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Led until 5th, led 4 out, headed before last, held flat, kept on, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Keeper Hill (10-13) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in Jan.
Ocean Cove (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Held up, not much room 5th, not fluent 6th, slow next, ridden before 3 out, 2nd 2 out until before last, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 7, 4 1/4l behind Notwhatiam (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Ratfacemcdougall (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Made all, mistake 3 out, ridden and pressed before last, held on well towards finish, won at Doncaster 3m (4) gd in Dec beating Nadaitak (11-5) by 3/4l, 3 ran.
Driftwood Haze 14-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway on outside from 8th, slow 4 out, challenged 3 out, not quicken on landing last, stayed on well towards finish, just held, 2nd of 9, nk behind Muthabir (10-8) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Book of Gold (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, lost place 6th, behind from 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out, at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Captain Cargo 7-1 (11-9) Mid-division on inside, lost place and behind 8th, headway under pressure after 3 out, ridden into 2nd after next, every chance flat, no extra towards finiish, 2nd of 15, 4 1/2l behind His Dream (10-7) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Unblinking 4-1 (10-0) Tracked leader until pushed along after 4 out, chased leaders, pushed along hung left and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 8, 16 3/4l behind I'm A Game Changer (11-6) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
