tracked leader, challenged 3 out, one pace from 2 out
held up towards rear, pushed along 4 out, soon headway, ridden before last, kept on same pace
led, pushed along and headed briefly 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, regained lead last, kept on strongly (no time taken, poor visibility)
tracked leaders in 3rd, led briefly 4 out, no extra from last
in touch in 4th, outpaced from 4 out
in rear, headway before 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed last, kept on and no chance with winner
Discoverie won over hurdles at Sedgefield recently but is now 10lb higher than when scoring over fences at the same track back in May. Money For Nothing has been placed in lower grade chases while Minella Forfitness continues to tumble down the weights and Witness, a winner in France, drops down in class. OSCATARA is not the most consistent but first-time headgear may help his concentration today. A runner-up on fast ground at Uttoxeter during the summer, a repeat effort should see Donald McCain’s charge go close today.
Oscatara (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Held up behind, blundered 7th, soon struggling, never a threat, tailed off, last of 6, 34 3/4l behind Fair Loch (11-12) at Ayr 2m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Witness (FR) 16-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, pushed along before 4 out, outpaced after 3 out, 3rd of 5, 16 3/4l behind Apterix (11-12) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Discoverie 11-4 (11-6) Tracked leader, led after 3 out, pressed from 2 out, kept on run-in, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Mitcd (10-5) by 4l, 7 ran.
Minella Forfitness (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Led, headed approaching 5 out, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled before up next, at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Chestnut Ben (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Chased leading trio until jumped slowly and lost place 3rd, struggling in last pair when mistake 9th, went right next and dropped to last soon after, 6th of 7, 33 1/4l behind Back By Midnight (10-12) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Money For Nothing 7-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway 13th, every chance 2 out, ridden before last, kept on, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Annamult (10-0) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in May.
