held up in rear, not always fluent, headway 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, went 2nd flat, stayed on
led until 8th, mistake and weakened next, tailed off
chased leader until 5th, mistake and reminders 7th, soon in rear, well behind 8th, pulled up after
mid-division, headway after 7th, went 2nd 9th, led after 2 out, driven out
mid-division, headway after 3rd, led 8th, ridden and headed after 2 out, stayed on
towards rear, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, not fluent 6th, mistake 3 out, went 4th 2 out, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd 5th until not fluent 9th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
not fluent, chased leaders, mistakes 2nd and 8th, weakened 9th, tailed off
This race has a surprisingly rich history with The Listener and Kayf Aramis amongst the recent winners. DOUBLE PRIDE is fancied to add his name to the roll of honour although support for Dream Leader would obviously temper confidence; Sandofthecolosseum looks best of the remainder. The selection takes a significant step up in trip but the stiffer test is expected to see this half-brother to the smart Our Ben in a better light as his entry in the three mile novice hurdle at Cheltenham suggests. He impressed when winning a heavy ground course bumper that the yard had taken with a smart sort the previous year and has run as well as can have been expected in two outings over hurdles this season. Dream Leader may be best watched on this occasion, bumper winners Simply Strong and Teenage Kicks have something to prove now whilst Broughton Green could have his work cut out under a penalty. Battlefield Bob chased home the apple of Charlie Mann's eye in a Southwell bumper but may not have had a great deal in behind so the biggest challenge could come from Sandofthecolosseum as he's already made the frame in a couple of similar contests. He actually has 6lbs in hand on official figures but Double Pride is expected to make the requisite improvement.
Broughton Green (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Held up, chased leaders after 7th, led 2 out, edged left approaching last, driven out, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec beating Dauntsey Bay (10-0) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Battlefield Bob (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Led, joined 2f out, soon headed and no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Rebel Rebellion (11-4) at Southwell 2m Nat Hunt Flat (AWT) (4-6yo) (4) std.
Brooks Bank (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Always rear division, struggling 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Sarando (11-4) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Double Pride 13-2 (11-1) Prominent and raced keen early, ridden approaching 3 out, went 2nd after last, kept on and no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 19l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-11) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs.
Sandofthecolosseum (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, 2nd before 3 out until 3 out, no extra from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Adams Island (11-0) at Newbury 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Simply Strong (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) Mid-division, raced keenly, some headway after 8th, no further progress, 8th of 16, 19l behind Benartic (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs.
Tannenberg (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Held up, in rear, always behind, tailed off, 8th of 17, well behind Peveril (11-11) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Teenage Kicks (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) With leader, weakened 3 out, 11th of 12, well behind Ranjobaie (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs.
Dream Leader (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) In tch; led aft 3 out til hdd last; kpt on, 2nd of 9, hd behind Identimin (11-0) at Charlton Horethorne 2m 4f ptp in Mar.
