made virtually all, joined 2 out, strongly pressed last, driven and stayed on to go clear run-in
held up in 5th, raced wide before 5th, headway on inside before 2 out, slightly outpaced before the last, stayed on well run-in, went 2nd post, no impression on winner
took keen hold, tracked leaders, tracked winner 2nd, challenged 2 out, every chance when left in 2nd place last, ridden and one pace run-in, lost 2nd post
tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, ridden and went 2nd just before the last, every chance when blundered and slithered on landing last, no chance to recover
raced wide, held up last, closer after 6th, outpaced before 2 out
raced wide, tracked winner, jumped slowly 2nd, soon dropped to 3rd, jumped slowly 3 out, rallied on outside and every chance 2 out, 4th and one pace last
This looks tricky as the drop back from 3m will suit the classy Rock On Ruby and he holds Cesarewitch winner Grumeti on their run together at Wetherby, although neither seemed quite at their best that day. Court Minstrel built on his victory at Perth when successful in a Grade 3 handicap at Chepstow and has looked a lot happier back over hurdles. Sea Lord has won seven times over hurdles but turned in a shocker at Newton Abbot when last seen and this looks much too tough for Cartmel and Worcester winner River Maigue. BROTHER TEDD beat a big field at Sandown in April and took the notable scalp of Silviniaco Conti on his reappearance at Kempton. He looks ready for this step up and can complete the hat trick getting weight from his likely market rivals.
Rock On Ruby (IRE) 3-1fav (11-9) Held up, headway on outside 1st, not fluent 3rd, lost place next, headway 7th, went 2nd after 9th, no impression on winner from 3 out, mistake last, 2nd of 9, 13l behind Kilcooley (11-9) at Wetherby 3m (1) sft in Oct.
Court Minstrel (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, led flat, ran on well, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) gd in Oct beating Rock The Kasbah (10-8) by 2l, 17 ran.
Brother Tedd 11-8fav (10-13) Tracked leader, led on bit approaching 2 out, soon quickened clear, not fluent last, ran on well, won at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Nov beating Silviniaco Conti (11-12) by 4l, 5 ran.
Grumeti 7-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway after 3rd, 3rd when not fluent 3 out, no impression on winner, weakened into 4th when mistake last, 4th of 9, 29 3/4l behind Kilcooley (11-9) at Wetherby 3m (1) sft in Oct.
River Maigue (IRE) 11-8fav (11-5) Held up mainly in 3rd, went 2nd before 9th, close up 5 out, tracked leading pair when stumbled before 4 out, upsides last, ridden to lead flat, kept on, won at Worcester 2m 7f (4) gd in Jun beating Amber Flush (10-5) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Sea Lord (IRE) 4-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders on inside, lost place 5th, driven next, ridden after 4 out, never on terms, weakened before 2 out, 10th of 11, 24 1/4l behind Mister Fizz (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (2) gs in Aug.
