midfield, headway 5 out, chasing leaders when jumped slowly next, stayed on under pressure approaching last, never reached winner
led, mistake 2nd, headed 3 out, soon rallied, weakened after last
held up in rear, headway when hampered and unseated rider 5 out
chased leaders, jumped right 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up 2 out
midfield, lost place 5th, soon beaten, pulled up 2 out
chased leaders, every chance when blundered 3 out, rallied under pressure approaching last, no extra closing stages
prominent, early, soon in touch, weakening when mistake 7th, soon behind, modest 5th
prominent, hard driven 4 out, led next, mistake 2 out, stayed on well (1 fence ommited)
Stagecoach Pearl and Back To Bracka arrive on the back of wins at Wetherby and both have been raised 8lb. The latter is less exposed and may come out best of that pair while Whispering Harry is proving a stronger horse this season and ran well off today's mark at Exeter last time having won at Chepstow before that. SUPREME ASSET is another to consider only 3lb higher than when scoring in heavy going at Carlisle earlier this year. A recent third at the same track points to a big run here and Donald McCain's charge gets the nod racing off the same mark.
Stagecoach Pearl 7-4fav (10-7) In touch in 4th, led before 3 out, kept on well from last, won at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft beating Le Bacardy (11-8) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
De Faoithesdream (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Led and clear with one other, pressed 4 out, headed 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression flat, 4th of 19, 13l behind Bold Henry (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov.
Back To Bracka (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Towards rear, mistake 6th, headway before 4 out, led 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov beating Tresor De Bontee (11-6) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Supreme Asset (IRE) 13-2 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, driven before last, stayed on run-in, went 3rd final 100 yards, not reach leading duo, 3rd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Indian Voyage (11-0) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Shooters Wood (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, in touch, led 3rd to 7th, with leader, led again 9th, headed 5 out, driven and lost place 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 6, well behind Premier Grand Cru (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Greywell Boy 10-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, blundered 2nd, pushed along and weakened from 4 out, 6th of 10, 33l behind Hollow Penny (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Suprise Vendor (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Led until 7th, chased winner until 2 out, weakened between last 2, mistake last, 5th of 7, 9l behind Indian Voyage (11-0) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Whispering Harry 7-2 (10-11) Led, mistake and headed 3rd, tracked leader, lost place when outpaced briefly before 4 out, regained lead soon after, ridden 2 out, headed when pecked last, no extra flat, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Headly's Bridge (11-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Nov.
