reluctant and led in start, held up in touch, ridden and struggling from 8th, tailed off
never travelling or jumping with and fluency in rear, hit 6th, blundered next, continued, tailed off
raced in 4th, driven into 3rd after 3 out, no impression next
raced in 3rd, mistake and chased winner from 7th, driven upsides last, found no extra and held final 100 yards
held up in rear, hit 7th, 4th and driven after 4 out, weakened from next
made all, hit 2nd, mistake 6th, ridden 3 out, driven and strongly pressed last, kept on gamely to assert final 100 yards
chased winner to 7th, last when hit 4 out, stayed on again after 2 out, kept on flat
ASHLEY BROOK can surprise plenty here by taking the scalps of Twist Magic and Petit Robin. Kevin Bishop's gelding won the Haldon Gold Cup with plenty of his trademark grit and while he was well beaten in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, a return to this trip can bring out the best in him. Twist Magic now has something to prove. He was in the process of running a big race in the Tingle Creek when departing but he was a disappointment in the Haldon Gold Cup and he hasn't appeared the most resolute at times. Petit Robin is an unknown quantity having spent his early career in France. He has put two special performances up in as many races over here but this is a big rise in class. Fiepes Shuffle looks sure to tear off from the tapes at a million miles an hour. Takeroc has placed in Graded events over hurdles. Pablo Du Charmil landed some hefty bets when taking a decent handicap at Cheltenham but his yard have been worryingly quiet of late. Lord Henry has it to prove at this level. A fair contest missing a couple of the big stars but Ashley Brook has plenty to like about him at the likely odds.
Twist Magic (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Held up in 4th, headway 3 out, going well when fell 2 out in race won by Master Minded (11-7) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gs, 7 ran.
Ashley Brook (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Led until 3rd, chased leaders, gradually lost place from 8th, behind when hampered 4 out, 10th of 19, 46l behind Imperial Commander (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Pablo Du Charmil (FR) 17-2 (10-9) Tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden and drew clear from 2 out, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (2) sft in Nov beating Tramantano (10-0) by 10l, 7 ran.
Petit Robin (FR) 4-5fav (11-3) Made all, hit 8th, in no danger when hit 2 out, came clear soon after, unchallenged, won at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov beating Its Crucial (10-7) by 13l, 11 ran.
Takeroc (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Held up, hit 10th, headway by passing 3 out, left distance 2nd, 2 out until flat, 3rd of 7, 15l behind Master Minded (11-7) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gs.
Fiepes Shuffle (GER) 33-1 (11-7) Led until fell in race won by Master Minded (11-7) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gs, 7 ran.
Lord Henry (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden 4 out, never troubled leaders, 6th of 10, 31l behind Monet's Garden (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) gs.
