made all, jumped well, clear 2nd, drew further clear after 2 out, impressive
settled off the pace in 4th, took closer order approaching 7th, chased winner next, outpaced from 3 out, no chance with winner
held up off the pace in 3rd, took closer order approaching 7th, struggling 5 out, soon weakened and tailed off, remote 3rd
pressed leader early and mistake 1st, chased clear leader after next, jumped slowly and outpaced after 6th, weakened after next, pulled up before 5 out
There may be only four runners in this but it’s a potentially informative novice chase. Nicky Henderson won it last year with Altior and fields another smart prospect in BRAIN POWER (NAP), who won four times over hurdles, including a Grade 3, and wasn’t beaten far when fifth in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle in April. Winter Escape won the Grade 2 Dovecote over timber here in February, though his form fell away after that. He is lightly-raced, however, and should win races over fences. War Sound was also useful over hurdles and made a fair start over fences behind River Wylde at Uttoxeter but Mariah's Legend was tailed off at Bangor earlier this month.
Brain Power (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Mid-division, 6th 4 out, 5th travelling well 2 out, ridden in 3rd before last, no impression run-in, 5th of 10, 3 1/4l behind Wicklow Brave (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
War Sound 7-1 (11-2) In rear pair, closed 7th, closed 3rd 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 3rd of 5, 6 1/2l behind River Wylde (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m (3) gs in Nov.
Winter Escape (IRE) 5-1jfav (10-10) Mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, driven and one pace next, weakened last, 15th of 16, 15 3/4l behind Chesterfield (10-12) at Ayr 2m hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Mariah's Legend 40-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, mistake next, soon weakened, last of 5, dist behind Lady Buttons (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f lst (1) sft in Nov.
