led, hit 5 out, challenged 3 out, headed after next, rallied last, no extra closing stages
always prominent, every chance when hit 3 out, led after next, challenged closing stages, stayed on well
behind, headway 2 out, never on terms
raced freely early, tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, every chance 2 out, sprawled on landing last, faded
chased leaders, headway to chase leaders 6th, effort 2 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway 5 out, weakened after 3 out
mistake 1st, chased leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, every chance after last, no extra towards finish
mid-division, not fluent 4th, headway to chase leaders 5 out, weakened after 3 out
behind, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, outpaced 3 out, rallied next, no extra last
mid-division, beaten 3 out
held up, mistake 3rd, weakened 4th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
Though withdrawn at Doncaster on Wednesday, there can’t have been much wrong with DANNY KIRWAN and he should take all the beating here if making his reappearance. A prolonged absence is a slight concern but his second to Angel’s Breath in a Grade 2 at Ascot last season is a cut above anything achieved by his rivals. Butterwick Brook has a penalty for winning at Taunton and that should allow third Percy Pops to get closer. Big Bresil has placed in a point and a bumper and a switch to hurdles should suit while Honest Exchange was a dual winner between the flags and is also interesting.
Butterwick Brook (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) Always prominent, went 2nd bypassing omitted 6th (5 out), led before 2 out where good jump, hard ridden and kept on gamely run-in, all out (hurdles in back straight omitted due to low sun, only 4 hurdles jumped), won at Taunton 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan beating Shang Tang (11-2) by hd, 12 ran.
Big Bresil 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along 6f out, plugged on into 2nd 2f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 12l behind Red Rookie (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f (5) hvy in Jan.
Captain Aulmes (FR) 100-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway after 5th, lost place 3 out, well beaten after, 8th of 9, 29 3/4l behind Beaufort West (11-5) at Chepstow 2m mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Danny Kirwan (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Led, pushed along entering straight, headed over 1f out, not pace of winner, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Angels Breath (11-0) at Ascot 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Freddy Fanatapan 80-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, bit closer in mid-division when hit 2nd, weakened before omitted 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 12, dist behind Butterwick Brook (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
Gorcombe's Rascal 200-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, weakened quickly bypassing 4th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) hvy in Jan.
Honest Exchange (IRE) 6-4 (12-2) Tr ldrs, 2nd 1/2way, ld 3out, ko well from before last, won at Tinahely 3m sft in Nov beating Coach Road (11-11) by 6l, 7 ran.
Into The Woods (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before next, at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) gs in Nov.
Lamanver Storm 20-1 (11-4) Chased leader until 5f out, chased leaders, ridden and weakened 4f out, tailed off, 7th of 11, dist behind Red Rookie (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f (5) hvy in Jan.
Legende de Minuit 28-1 (11-2) Not that fluent in rear, behind when pulled up before 8th, at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) sft in Jan.
Percy Pops 16-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway on long run to 2 out, kept on into modest 3rd final strides, 3rd of 12, 7 1/4l behind Butterwick Brook (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
Royal Martian 50-1 (11-5) Held up in mid-division on outside, closer halfway, pushed along leaving back straight, soon lost place, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Tile Tapper (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Ioweu 125-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear and keen, effort before 2 out, never dangerous, 13th of 17, dist behind Calva D'Auge (11-8) at Wincanton 1m 7f (3) sft in Jan.
