tracked leader, left in lead 5th, made rest, 10 lengths clear last, easily
in touch, chased winner after 4 out to neck, kept on same pace no impression
held up, headway after 4 out, went 2nd next, kept on no chances winner
held up, pushed along 4th 2 struggling never dangerous
in touch, not fluent 2nd, 4th when fell next
held up, hampered 3rd, headway and left 2nd 5th, lost place after 4 out, soon weakened
led until fell 5th
Brave Rebellion is finally beginning to fulfill his potential having won his last three starts over hurdles and Keith Reveley's gelding is taken to make it four from four here and give weight away all round, with the main threats looking to be Ashwell Lad and San Deng. The last mentioned is less exposed than most of these and comes here fit from the flat but Micky Hammond has been struggling to find winners of late so he looks best watched. Oakapple Express showed good form in bumpers but gave little encouragement on his hurdling debut, while Irish import Dreamaker would need to improve for joining Pat Haslam's yard and may be best watched. Ashwell Lad is open to improvement and has to be respected but Brave Rebellion has done little wrong of late and he gets the vote.
Brave Rebellion 2-7fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway to track leaders approaching 5th, led approaching 3 out, shaken up approaching last, cheekily, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Apr beating Sea Senor (11-0) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Dreamaker (IRE) (12-0) 3rd of 15, 8l behind Lisabbey Lord (12-0) at Askeaton 3m ire ptp gs in Jan.
Flowerpotman 50-1 (11-0) Held up, always behind, 7th of 11, well behind Brave Rebellion (10-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Georgedoubleyou (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Held up and pulled hard, saddle soon slipped and pulled up at the 2nd in race won by Brave Rebellion (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Apr, 13 ran.
Mr Tee Pee (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Took keen hold in mid-division, hampered 3rd, soon lost place, towards rear when switched right after 3 out, 9th of 12, 36l behind Kanad (11-5) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
San Deng 4-1 (11-0) Prominent, effort 2 out, no extra flat, 5th of 12, 17l behind Sculastic (10-8) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Ashwell Lad (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Held up rear, headway after 4th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, one pace last, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Tisseman (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Oakapple Express 5-2 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway halfway, lost place 4 out, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Hilly Gale (11-2) at Wetherby 3m 1f nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr, 12 ran.
