raced wide, led to 5th, chased leader until weakened before 3 out
held up in rear but in touch, headway to chase leaders 9th, ridden and weakened gamely before 3 out
raced wide, held up but in touch, headway approaching 9th, ridden to lead briefly after 3 out, stayed challenging, kept on to press for 2nd near finish
held up but in touch, headway approaching 9th, driven and stayed on same pace after 3 out
raced on inside, behind, ridden after 5th, struggling before 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
towards rear when fell 2nd
chased leaders, weakened and mistake 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
took keen hold, held up, ridden and weakened from 9th, mistake 2 out
close up, hit 6th, tracked leading pair 9th, upsides and every chance 3 out, stayed challenging until no impression run-in, just held on for 2nd
held up but in touch, headway to track leaders when saddle slipped after 8th, soon weakened, hit last 2
tracked leader, led and not fluent 5th, driven and headed soon after 3 out, weakened before next
in touch until lost place 6th, well behind 9th, stayed on from 3 out, not reached leaders
Nonrunner
A tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Brendar, Soeur Fontenail and Manawanui and the tentative vote is given to Brendar. The selection has been in fair form of late and was a fair fourth behind the well handicapped Here We Go last time out. That form looks rock solid in the context of this race and with this faster ground also in his favour he is taken to score. Soeur Fontenail was a fair fourth behind First Love in a chase last time out. He returns to hurdles on a slightly lower mark and should be monitored in the market. Manawanui is another that could go well on his best form but consistency is not his strong point and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Of there remainder Mistified is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he is weighted up to his best while Carly Bay looks handily weighted and could go well at a price but in a race that throws up more questions than answers for the winner we return to Brendar.
Soeur Fontenail (FR) 4-1 (10-7) With leader, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, well behind First Love (10-4) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
Stars Delight (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 9l behind Goss (11-2) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Aug.
Carly Bay 11-2 (11-5) Always behind, slow jump 8th, no chance when mistake 3 out, 6th of 10, 22l behind Brendar (11-6) at Plumpton 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Mar.
Manawanui 7-4fav (10-11) In touch, driven, jumped slowly 6th, weakened next, eased after 2 out, 8th of 10, well behind Businessmoney Jake (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Sound Skin (IRE) 33-1 (10-1) Held up, headway to chase leaders 3 out, weakening when stumbled 2 out, finished tired, 5th of 8, 23l behind Touch of Fate (10-4) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Oct.
Mistified (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 3rd, ridden 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Lorient Express (10-7) at Exeter 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs.
Ressource (FR) 20-1 (10-0) Always behind, no chance when unseated rider at the last in race won by Vengeance (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar, 10 ran.
Brendar (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) Behind, ridden and steady progress from 7th, went 4th after 3 out, stayed on, never troubled leaders, 4th of 15, 21l behind Here We Go (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
