held up in last pair, modest 5th from 8th, struggling before 3 out, never involved, pulled up before last
made all, reluctant on stable bend on both circuits, pushed along before 3 out, ridden and joined 2 out, driven before last, stayed on gamely run-in
tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 7th, tried to challenge 3 out every chance next, rider dropped whip between last 2, switched right run-in, edged left and one pace run-in
held up tracking leaders, pushed along in 3rd before 3 out, kept on same pace, no chance with leading duo
held up in rear, headway chasing leaders before 9th, disputing 3rd 3 out, ridden and no impression when mistake last, weakened run-in
tracked winner, mistakes 2nd and next, reminders after 6th, lost 2nd after next, behind 8th, tailed off 4 out
Brown Bear has been winning over hurdles and fences and can race off the same mark as when scoring over timber at Ascot last month. But course and distance winner BREDON HILL LAD (NAP) returned to action with a victory at Ffos Las in November and Sue Gardner’s charge is taken to confirm running with Little Jimmy as that looks stronger form than Bajardo’s recent success at Fakenham. Atlantic Roller is not badly treated on earlier placed efforts and looks best of the rest.
Brown Bear (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 3 out, 3rd 2 out, no impression on front pair, faded into 5th flat, 5th of 12, 15 1/4l behind Bastien (11-12) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Bredon Hill Lad 10-3 (11-8) Tracked leader, led 6th, not fluent next, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well, clear towards finish, won at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Spock (10-3) by 3l, 6 ran.
Atlantic Roller (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) (cp) prom; led 10-12; wknd qckly 14, 7th of 9, 21l behind Goodnight Vienna (11-0) at Penshurst 3m gd in Mar.
Bajardo (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, chased clear leader 7th, led soon after 3 out, headed bend approaching last, rallied flat to lead near finish, won at Fakenham 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec beating Yourholidayisover (10-13) by nk, 7 ran.
Little Jimmy 11-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway 7h, 4th and weakening after 2 out, 4th of 6, 13 1/2l behind Bredon Hill Lad (11-8) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Albatros De Guye (FR) 28-1 (10-0) With leaders, weakened from 6 out, tailed off, pulled up before 5 out, at Southwell 3m 2f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
