held up towards rear, reminders 3rd, behind from 7th, pulled up after 4 out
mid-division, outpaced 4th, behind from 7th
prominent, chased leaders 6th, led 7th, driven clear approaching last, pushed out flat, comfortably
in touch, headway on bit 4 out, chased winner and hit 2 out, mistake last, no chance after
led to 7th, ridden in 3rd when not fluent 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out
prominent, ridden 3 out, not quicken
held up and mistake and unseated rider 2nd
Wages is consistent but may just need the run so we will side with Smoke Trail ahead of Bollitree Bob. Bob Buckler's eight-year-old is at home on better ground and has put in a series of consistent efforts of late. This mark of 107 looks about right and with most of the trainer's horses in the frame of late, the selection may just provide him with a welcome winner. Wages has found one too good on his last four starts but he goes well on the ground and his break may just have freshened him a little bit although he has needed a run in the past. Or Apple's is consistent if somewhat unspectacular and has place claims again, as does the tricky Jupon Vert. Bollitree Bob was a facile winner last time out on this ground and is a live danger despite being 3lbs out of the handicap, however Smoke Trail is taken to get his head in front.
Rooster's Reunion (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, weakened 6th, well behind when blundered 4 out, last of 8, well behind Roznic (11-3) at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Matthew Muroto (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) In touch, ridden and weakened 3 out, 8th of 11, 18l behind Smart Cavalier (11-11) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Smoke Trail (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Held up, headway from 7th, ridden to chase winner 3 out, no chance from next, lost 2nd run-in, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Lord Henry (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f nov chs (3) gd in Mar.
Wages 3-1fav (11-2) Held up, mistake 1st, hit and lost place 7th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Roofing Spirit (11-8) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Or Apple's (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced from 4 out, 3rd of 12, 27l behind Turgeonev (11-12) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
Jupon Vert (FR) 7-1 (11-2) In touch, went 2nd 9th, led soon after 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, 3rd and held when went right last, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Guymur (11-0) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Necker (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Held up, headway, hampered and left third 8th, weakened after 4 out, 4th of 6, 32l behind Bring Me Sunshine (11-4) at Taunton 2m beg chs (4) sft in Mar.
Bollitree Bob 4-1 (9-10) Took keen hold, always prominent, went 2nd 4 out, led after 3 out, drew well clear from 2 out, won at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf beating No Greater Love (10-6) by 18l, 5 ran.
