chased leaders, riddne to lead after 3 out, blundered next, headed soon after, kept on same pace, blundered last
always towards rear
mid-division until weakened 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, went badly right third, headway after 3 out, led after next, went right last, stayed on strongly
held up, mistake 4th, some headway after 3 out, never troubled leaders
mid-division, headway after 6th, challenging for 2nd when mistake 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
chased leaders, hit 3 out, soon weakened
led, soon well clear, headed after 3 out, soon weakened
held up, hit 4th, headway 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace from next
chased clear leader, jinked left fourth, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, soon beaten
mistake 1st, always well in rear, tailed off
Nonrunner
Now Listen To Me showed promise on his only start in a bumper but was well held on his only start over timber so far at Chepstow in November so the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding looks best watched in a race taken to go to THEOPHRASTUS, who gets the vote ahead of Wadswick Ben. Andrew Turnell's gelding got no further than the second flight on his debut but is less exposed than most of these and has to be considered in what is ultimately a poor contest by Wincanton standards. Exeter bumper winner Foolish Cliche has struggled under penalties since then and now makes his debut over hurdles but is hard to back with any confidence, while French import You And I has been well held in both starts since joining Nicky Henderson. Come Out Firing has fallen in his last two starts over fences and may do better now returned to hurdles but it is Theophrastus that gets the vote. Admittedly Nick Gifford's gelding has been well held in all three starts so far but they have been in much better races than this and he looks to have been found a suitable opportunity to open his account.
Come Out Firing (IRE) 5-4fav (11-5) Towards rear, fell 2nd, in a race won by Ross Leader (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f Am hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Mar, 12 ran.
King Neptune 66-1 (11-4) Mid-division, no chance 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Burton Port (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Merry Terry 33-1 (11-0) Always in rear, 7th of 9, well behind Ffos Las Diamond (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Theophrastus (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, not fluent 3 out, headway and in touch before 2 out, weakened under pressure after 2 out, mistake last, 6th of 7, 41l behind Bensalem (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nh nov hdl (2) gs.
Wadswick Ben 50-1 (10-7) Held up, fell 2nd, in a race won by Midnight Sail (11-6) at Stratford 2m 6f nov hdl (3) gd, 11 ran.
You And I (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 16, 30l behind Bakbenscher (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Dec.
Ban Uisce (IRE) Lahib gelding out of Scolboa Gold.
Allperksonice 100-1 (10-4) Took keen hold, led 2nd and set good pace, headed before 9th, weakened before 3 out, no chance when blundered 2 out, 8th of 9, well behind Tyrrells Wood (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Foolish Cliche 14-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 10th of 15, 49l behind Barafundle (11-4) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gd.
Lyrical Chant (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 4th, pulled up 4 out, in a race won by Pepito Collonges (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gs in Mar, 17 ran.
Miss Patchwork 100-1 (10-8) Mid-division, weakened over 5f out, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Celian (10-9) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn NH flat (6) hvy in Apr '08.
Now Listen To Me 10-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 16, 49l behind Bensalem (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Chilla Cilla 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 7th, one pace, 5th of 13, 50l behind Caoba (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gd.
