in rear, outpaced 6th, some headway before 3 out, weakened, never on terms
soon chasing leaders on outside, went 2nd before 7th mistake next, lost 2nd 4 out, plugged on
chased leaders, went 2nd and hit 4 out, no chance with winner
chased leaders and ran in snatches, outpaced before 8th, rallied into remote 3rd run-in
held up in last trio, closer on inside when mistake and stumbled 4 out, soon ridden, weakened and pulled up before next
held up in last pair, headway chasing leaders 8th, pushed along in well held 3rd after next, weakened
mostly jumped well, made all, clear from 4 out, bit awkward next, kept on strongly, unchallenged
jumped big 1st and next, chased winner until before 7th, weakened before 4 out
Bushypark’s victory at Hexham was completely at odds with what had gone before but he was well backed that day and has few miles on the clock so a follow-up here could be on the cards, despite a 15lb hike in the ratings. At the likely odds, however, we’d rather take a chance on OXWICH BAY. Conor Ring’s mount will handle conditions and is back over hurdles on a fair mark having won over fences in the summer. Veteran chaser Frankie Ballou and Wazowski may prove best of the rest.
Wazowski 7-2fav (11-9) Restrained towards rear, midfield 4th, awkward 6th, in touch 8th, pushed to chase leader before 2 out, ridden and no extra before last, 4th of 10, 17 3/4l behind Dalaman (11-1) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Oct.
J'Ai Froid (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, closed from 6th, challenged 3 out, mistake last, led towards finish, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Mar beating Firebird Flyer (11-10) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Oxwich Bay (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Mistakes towards rear, staying on in well held 4th when hit 2 out, never on terms with leaders, 4th of 9, 12 1/4l behind Vocaliser (11-7) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Todd 22-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, no impression, 8th of 12, 15 1/4l behind Just So Cool (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Strike West (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Rear of mid-division, struggling 6th, some headway before 2out, no impression, soon weakened, pulled up before last, at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Click And Collect 66-1 (12-2) Towards rear, nudged before 4 out, pushed after 2 out and made some progress, ridden before last, kept on one pace, 5th of 13, 14 1/4l behind Evita Du Mesnil (10-12) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Bushypark (IRE) 7-4fav (10-10) Keen behind leaders, pulled into lead 3rd, drew clear 4th, reduced advantage approaching 2 out, pulled clear travelling strongly approaching last, pushed out flat, won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov beating Golan Cloud (10-13) by 11l, 15 ran.
Frankie Ballou (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Mid-division not fluent 2nd, lost ground 9th, ridden after 11th, lost touch before 3 out, awkward 2 out, tailed off last fence, 7th of 11, 22 1/2l behind Muroor (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
