led, headed briefly 10th, mistake next, headed 4 out, weakened after 3 out
in touch when unseated rider 7th
tracked leaders, led 10th, hampered by loose horse approaching 11th, headed, weakened soon after
mid-division, hampered, unseated rider 7th
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, weakened 9th, behind when fell 4 out
in touch, headway 6th, chased winner, mistake 3 out, every chance flat, not run on
towards rear, behind, slightly hampered 7th, no danger after
in rear, ridden from 8th, plugged on for poor 3rd
held up, headway 9th, ridden to lead 4 out, all out towards finish
in rear when brought down 7th
in rear, mistake 2nd, lost touch 6th
Brandy House is the pick ahead of Shannon Lodge, Thieves' Glen and Reflex Blue in a very moderate contest. The selection is the only one to have reached the frame of late, the Nigel Twiston-Davies inmate having finished second in similar grade over hurdles at Leicester in November, conceding 18lb to the winner. Although this will be his first outing over fences, the eight-year-old is sure to have been well schooled, and meets nothing of any note here. Shannon Lodge was a faller on his chase bow at Hereford in September, but will have been sweetened up by a spin between the flags. Thieves' Glen has tumbled down the ratings of late, and has bags of experience, but has been out of form and is hard to fancy, while Reflex Blue in contrast has struggled since scoring over fences at Stratford in September. He has the form to get involved if fit enough after a break, but in a race in which bets are best kept to a minimum, we return to Brandy House as the selection.
