pressed leader, shaken up and led before 3 out, soon pushed along, headed approaching 2 out, ridden before last, weakened run-in
rear mid-division, pushed along and dropped away after 4 out
rear mid-division, headway into modest 5th after 4 out, no impression and weakened tamely after 2 out
mid-division, pushed along and lost touch after 4 out
prominent, mistake 4th, led travelling strongly approaching 2 out, went clear before last, pushed out run-in, easily
towards rear, struggling 4 out and pushed along, rallied from before 2 out, stayed on past beaten horses
chased leaders, lost position and well behind from after 4 out
chased leaders on outer, pushed along in 4th 3 out, gradually dropped away
in rear, tailed off 4 out, pulled before next
mid-division, pushed along and lost ground after 4 out, soon well held
led narrowly, headed before 3 out, ridden into 2nd before last, kept on but no chance with facile winner
Whizz Kid made a winning reappearance at Wetherby for which he’s been raised 5lb while Brookie made a winning debut for a new trainer when successful at Fontwell but faces a tougher task here. CASTEL GANDOLFO was upped in class at Cheltenham last month but had gone close at Market Rasen before that and gets another chance back at this level. Brentford Hope should also fare better in this lower grade but Grivetana has yet to win a handicap.
Whizz Kid (GER) 11-4fav (11-13) Disputed lead, definite leader 3 out, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Hurricane Ali (11-13) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Castel Gandolfo (IRE) 18-1 (11-1) Held up in midfield, headway before 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on approaching last where plenty to do, kept on same pace run-in, 4th of 18, 12 1/4l behind Our Champ (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Brookie (IRE) 9-4 (12-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, led last, drew clear flat, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Small Bad Bob (10-10) by 8 1/2l, 4 ran.
Oakley (IRE) 11-2 (12-0) Prominent, outpaced before 6th, pushed along after 2 out, weakened quickly after final flight, 7th of 9, 14 3/4l behind Aliomaana (10-6) at Stratford 2m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Brentford Hope 11-4fav (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway after 6th, ridden 3 out, disputing 4th and no impression when mistake last, no extra flat, 6th of 17, 11l behind Black Poppy (10-5) at Haydock 2m hcp (1) gd in May.
Made For You 40-1 (9-11) In touch, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 10, 18 1/2l behind Blue Hawaii (8-6) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (6) sft in May.
Bread And Butter (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, jumped right 6th, headway on outside before 2 out, no impression after 2 out, kept on towards finish, 5th of 7, 6 1/4l behind Whizz Kid (11-13) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Grivetana (FR) 7-1 (11-6) Chased leaders early, in touch in mid-division, ridden and weakened after 2 out, tailed off, last of 17, dist behind Malaita (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Believe Jack (FR) 5-2 (11-5) Prominent, led 3rd (usual 5th), soon headed, led before last (usual 3 out), headed after last, pushed along before bypassing 2 out, soon ridden, plugged on one pace flat, 4th of 10, 8 3/4l behind Soft Risk (11-10) at Kelso 2m (4) gs in Jan.
American Gerry (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Led, clear 1st until 3rd, headed before 3 out, weakened approaching next, 4th of 6, dist behind Park Hill Dancer (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Sergeant Wilson (IRE) 10-11fav (11-6) Keen, led, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon no extra, 5th of 8, 18 3/4l behind Feel The Pinch (11-7) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
