disputed lead, led outright 3rd, not fluent 5th where briefly headed, pressed for lead 3 out, soon headed and ridden, in touch with leaders 2 out, weakened before last
midfield, ridden and brief headway on outer before 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, weakened run-in
disputed lead, headed 3rd, briefly led 5th, in touch with leaders 3 out, soon ridden, disputed lead 2 out, narrow lead approaching last where not fluent, kept on run-in, always holding on
close up in touch, pressed leader 3 out, soon led and ridden, disputed lead 2 out, soon headed, narrowly behind approaching last, kept on run-in, held by winner, dead-heated for 2nd
midfield, ridden before 9th, outpaced in last 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, in touch with leaders 3 out, soon ridden, waiting for clear passage 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, kept on run-in, dead-heated for 2nd, not reach winner
It was good ground when Chris Cool scored at Huntingdon last month and he’s upped in class and raised 6lb. Butler's Brief drops down in trip after scoring at Kelso and Astronomic View is preferred having finished second at Exeter. SHALLOW RIVER has been in the mix off similar marks lately and was beaten less than a length in a tougher race at Carlisle last time. He gets another chance upped in trip with cheekpieces applied. Tanganyika will be sharper for last month’s comeback and is preferred to Samual Jackson of the remainder.
Butler's Brief (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Prominent, led 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, hard pressed last, kept on well and on top final 100 yards, won at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Shoeshine Boy (10-9) by 3 3/4l, 9 ran.
Shallow River (IRE) 5-2fav (10-7) Towards rear, headway to track leaders 7th, ridden to lead approaching last, wandered under pressure flat, headed close home, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Fingal's Hill (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Tanganyika (FR) 11-10fav (11-0) Prominent, led before 4th, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 12 3/4l behind Itso Fury (11-10) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Astronomic View 5-1 (11-2) Prominent, headway to lead before 3 out where ridden, soon headed, chased leader 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, kept on run-in, no match for ready winner, 2nd of 7, 3 1/4l behind King Alexander (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Samuel Jackson 9-2 (10-8) Held in rear, in touch, cajoled along after 6th, pulled up before 9th, never really travelling, at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Chris Cool 15-2 (11-10) In rear, not fluent 3rd, mistake 7th, awkward 8th, pushed along 3 out, soon steady headway, disputed lead last, ridden and forged ahead run-in, gamely, won at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (5) gs in Nov beating For Gina (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Elle Est Beau (IRE) 5-2jfav (10-2) Towards rear, jumped right 1st, shaken up in 3rd before 2 out, soon pushed along and no impression, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 5 1/4l behind Pretending (10-5) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
