took keen hold, held up, headway approaching 7th, chased leading pair 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
led until 3rd, reminders and led again after next, narrowly headed after 7th, weakened before 2 out, soon eased when beaten
took keen hold, soon close up, led 3rd until after next, lost place after 5th, tailed off
held up in rear, headway 7th, chased leading trio 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out
close up, headway to lead 4 out, headed 3 out, stayed challenging, hung left before 2 out, one pace when hit last, brief rally soon after, held final 100 yards
keen, close up, went 2nd 5th, led after 7th until 4 out, regained lead 3 out, kept on well after last, in command final 100 yards
pulled hard, soon prominent, hit 5th and ridden, behind from 7th, tailed off and soon pulled up
always behind, weakened 7tf, tailed off
STRATEGIC APPROACH and Bruslini hold a class advantage here and the former can win this projected match. Warren Greatrex has done well in his first season after a shaky start and his gelding rates the form pick with a rating of 130. He ran with credit in a hot handicap last time and should appreciate this relative drop in class, whilst a bumper win on good-to-soft shows he doesn't need the mud to be flying to perform. He should be good enough to land this from fellow penalised runner Bruslini. Phillip Hobbs has had a good few months and will be hopeful of more success with this son of Linamix. He's another who's arguably a shade better with cut but he ran second on genuine good ground in the Autumn so should have no such excuses. Officially he's got 5lbs to find with out pick but there's no doubt he's capable of better and this could be closer than the figures suggest, however we're happy to stick with the top-rated animal. Five Star Wilsham tries hurdles for the first time and showed promise in bumpers so could claim some prize money. He's related to winning hurdles at this sort of trip and should be fine on the ground. Xtravaganza hasn't shown much so far and can be opposed - she was only moderate on the flat - whilst Dashing John will surely need a longer trip and may lack the required ability. The rest look poor so this is best left to Strategic Approach.
Bruslini (FR) 4-1 (10-11) Towards rear, pushed along and weakened from 7th, 12th of 14, well behind Honest John (10-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Feb.
Strategic Approach (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, hit 6th, weakened soon after 3 out, 8th of 13, 26l behind Beshabar (9-11) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Feb.
Brookfieldshector (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Tracked leader to 2nd, lost place 3rd, lost touch approaching 6th, tailed off next, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Abbevillian (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Dashing John 6-4 (12-0) Held up; hdwy 14; led 3 out; unchall, won at Dunthrop 3m ptp gs in Mar beating Pretty Penny (11-7) by 25l, 11 ran.
Double Chocolate 200-1 (10-12) Held up, headway on outside 3rd, lost place after next, jumped slowly 6th, tailed off 8th, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Watamu Bay (11-4) at Towcester 3m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 13 ran.
Five Star Wilsham (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Soon led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 10, 8l behind L'accordioniste (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) sft in Mar.
Saskatoon Lily (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Mistakes in rear, hanging left bend before 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Minella For Food (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f nov sell hdl (5) gs in Mar, 11 ran.
Xtravaganza (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) In touch, weakened after 3 out, 11th of 17, well behind Dolly Penrose (10-10) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Moonshine Hall (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, chased clear pair from 6f out until weakened 4f out, 8th of 12, 47l behind Gorgehous Lliege (10-10) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn NH flat (6) sft in Mar.
