held up well in rear, pushed along and flashed tail after 11th, went modest 5th before 4 out until last
led, blundered 10th, hit next, already headed, when blundered 4 out, lost 2nd next, stayed on same pace in 3rd from 2 out
chased leaders in 5th on outside, ridden when went right 4 out and next, weakened 2 out
tracked leading pair, awkward 5th (water), lost place slightly approaching 7th, rallied 9th, chased winner 3 out, 2 lengths down ridden and staying on when blundered and stumbled badly last, not recover
pressed leader, led 4 out, 2 lengths ahead when left with advantage last
chased leaders, weakened before 4 out, went poor 5th last
Veteran KNAPP BRIDGE BOY won over track and trip in October and can be forgiven his comeback run at Stratford. This is his time of year and he's probably still a bit more consistent than his rivals. Sound Stage would be a real threat if getting his act together as he looks very well treated on his old form. The fences sometimes get in the way, however, while Cranky Corner unseated his rider at Wincanton last month and may still be a couple of pounds too high. Cottage Acre could go well back over fences after three runs over hurdles and is preferred to Adrenalin Flight and Brody Bleu of the others.
Cranky Corner 40-1 (11-5) In rear, mistake 4th, badly hampered and unseated rider 12th, in a race won by Shuil Royale (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Mar, 7 ran.
Sound Stage 8-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, lost place 12th, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 6th of 12, 34l behind Plein Pouvoir (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) sft in Dec.
Cottage Acre (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) In touch, headway on outer before 3 out, ridden and every chance before last, no extra run-in, lost 3rd place near finish, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Union Saint (11-6) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Adrenalin Flight (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 8th, ridden when dropped to 3rd before 4 out, soon one pace and well held, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Jump City (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) sft in Mar.
Brody Bleu (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leader to 8 out, chased clear pair from 5 out, lost 3rd place after 4 out until after last, one pace and no impression, 3rd of 5, 16l behind Ice 'n' Easy (11-7) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (4) sft.
Knapp Bridge Boy 16-1 (11-4) Mid-division on outside, mistake 8th, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Chiquilline (11-12) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs, 11 ran.
