mid-division, headway 5th, ridden and every chance 3 out, not fluent 2 out, rallied and every chance flat, no extra and eased towards finish
held up, not fluent 3rd, headway 4 out, weakened after 3 out
held up, headway after 4 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on well
tracked leader and keen, lost place from 5th, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, headway approaching 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out
held up, weakened approaching 4 out
held up, led 4 out, weakened after next
tracked leader, weakened after 4 out
in touch, jumped slowly 5th, led after 4 out, headed and weakened approaching 2 out
led, not fluent 3rd, headed 4 out, soon weakened
Skippers Brig gets the confident vote here with Anglicisme and Nevertika rating the main dangers. The selection is held in high regard and won well last time and with these slightly bigger hurdles sure to improve his jumping, he will be hard to beat. Anglicisme rates the main danger as he won well last time when beating Hills Of Arran but this looks tougher and he is more exposed than most so he looks worth taking on. Nevertika is another that could go well on his latest third behind Kanpai but the suspicion is that he will be seen to better effect over a longer trip in time. Ordre de Bataille is another last time out winner that could go well but he is unproven over this trip. Of the remainder Supremely Gifted is from a yard in form and could go well at a price but for the winner we return to Skippers Brig who is taken to win this before going on to better things.
Nevertika (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, led after 3 out, ridden approaching next, no extra and headed towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Kanpai (11-7) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Ordre de Bataille (FR) 11-4 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden and not much room after 3 out, led last, headed and carried left flat, ran on, 2nd of 18, shd behind Killard Point (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov. Later awarded race.
Skippers Brig (IRE) 8-11fav (10-12) Held up, headway 6th, led approaching 3 out, clear next, eased run-in, won at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy beating All For Luck (10-12) by 9l, 11 ran.
Charming Rogue 11-1 (9-0) With leader, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 5th of 10, 6l behind Legally Fast (9-2) at Leicester 1m 4f clm (5) gf in Oct '05 (Flat).
Coorbawn Vic (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) Always in the rear, 14th of 15, 50l behind Secret Squirrel (10-10) at Hereford 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gf in Oct.
Greenock 9-1 (10-12) Held up, outpaced after 4 out, driven to chase leaders next, kept on, no impression, 3rd of 9, 28l behind Silver Snitch (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Jacksons Pier (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always in the rear, tailed off when 4 out, 13th of 15, well behind Joaaci (10-12) at Hereford 3m 2f nov hdl (4) sft.
Little Said (12-0) Led 4 out, headed last, rallied to lead again close home, won at Dromahane 3m ire ptp gs in Apr beating Flying Forme (12-0) by a nk, 17 ran.
Supremely Gifted (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) In touch, effort before last, held when blundered last, 3rd of 16, 13l behind King Daniel (10-11) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
St Philips Girl 100-1 (10-5) Held up, struggling halfway, soon beaten, 11th of 16, well behind La Dame Brune (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (3) gs.
Anglicisme (FR) 33-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden and headway to lead approaching 2 out, driven out and ran on strongly, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy beating Hills Of Aran (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Rudaki 10-3 (10-7) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 32l behind Secret Pact (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
