mid-division, mistake 6th, closed after next, switched right after 3 out, no extra from 2 out
held up towards rear, raced keenly, not fluent 5th, headway on outside approaching 3 out, hung left thereafter, every chance 2 out, weakened flat
chased leaders, mistake 4th, went 2nd 3 out, every chance 2 out, not much room before last, switched left and not fluent at hurdle, 3rd and no impression flat
led until before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, ridden and beaten 2 out, went 4th flat
tracked leader, not fluent 2nd, led before 3 out, headed last, outpaced by winner flat
in rear, mistake 1st, pushed along before 6th, well beaten before 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, led last, soon clear, easily
mid-division, closed from 6th, ridden and weakened before 3 out, tailed off
Bigbadmattie is among the least exposed and probably well treated on his handicap debut. London Eye has also had only three runs over hurdles and should stay the extra having placed over 2m2f on the Flat earlier this year. Roque It was the subject of a gamble here on his reappearance but the handicapper probably has a grip on Mr Tambourine Man. Fergal O’Brien’s pair, Brief Ambition and ULTIMATE GETAWAY, are partnered by their regular pilots. The former was beaten off a lower mark in a handicap at Uttoxeter in June so we’ll rely on the latter, who is back over his best trip and was clear of the rest when trying to give weight to useful chaser Fire Away here in July. Taste The Fear seems better over further.
Taste The Fear (IRE) 10-3 (11-3) Chased leader, led just before 2 out, driven and stayed on flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in Jul beating Ask Henry (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Brief Ambition 10-11fav (11-5) Raced keenly, tracked leader, led 5th, made rest, hit last, stayed on, won at Perth 2m 4f (4) gd in Sep beating Rich Belief (11-2) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Roque It (IRE) 10-11fav (10-12) Held up, ridden before 3 out, started to make headway 2 out, stayed on for second but never getting to winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Father John (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gd in Sep.
Ultimate Getaway (IRE) 11-8fav (11-10) Waited with in 4th, went 3rd home turn, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 4, 19 1/2l behind Every Breakin Wave (11-6) at Stratford 2m 6f (3) gd in Aug.
Mr Tambourine Man (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Led, ridden and pressed 2 out, soon headed, switched right before last, held flat, kept on, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Montys Medoc (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
London Eye (USA) 2-1fav (12-1) Raced mid-division, ridden 3 out, on terms approaching last, stayed on one paced, 4th of 12, 7 1/4l behind Theocrat (11-12) at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Fantomas (FR) 25-1 (11-0) Towards rear, not fluent 4th, ridden after 5 out, soon beaten, tailed off, 9th of 12, dist behind The Bomber Liston (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Bigbadmattie (IRE) 9-4 (11-5) Chased leaders on inner, mistake 2 out and ridden along, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Guinness Affair (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Sep.
Trooper Jones 18-1 (11-4) Tracked clear leader, closed 4 out, led next, ridden and headed last, one pace and lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Brief Ambition (11-4) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in May.
