held up in last trio, headway approaching 3 out, chased clear leader before next, closed to lead last, driiven clear
took keen hold, chased leaders on inside, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before next
held up in last pair, reminders after 4th, badly outpaced after next, brief rally under pressure 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, pushed along after 4th, ridden and weakened quickly before 3 out
held up, headway into 3rd before 3 out, no impression and weakened next
held up in 5th, headway chasing clear leader after 4 out, no impression when lost 2nd before 2 out, plugged on same pace in 3rd, weakened into 4th last
chased clear leader until after 4 out, outpaced approaching next, stayed on again into well held 3rd last, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner
led and set good pace, clear 4 out until ridden between last 2, went left 2 out, headed when went left and mistake last, driven and no chance with winner run-in, lost 2nd close home
Philip Hobbs won this last year and will have high hopes than the ultra-consistent Ozzie The Oscar can follow suit. A winner over course and distance in April, he comfortably landed the odds at Wetherby last month though the handicapper has taken that race at face value. Holly Bush Henry makes a surprise switch back to hurdles as he ran quite well over fences at Wetherby and is built for chasing. Omessa Has should start to fulfil her potential sooner rather than later but Theligny is upped in grade as he bids for a four-timer and Ritual Of Senses will also need to find more. TOMMY SILVER (NAP) gets soft ground for the first time since winning a Listed race at Musselburgh at the turn of the year. Highly tried since, Paul Nicholls' charge can pick up the winning thread again here.
Who Dares Wins (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division when blundered and unseated rider 2nd, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Ozzie The Oscar (IRE) 4-6fav (11-8) Tracked leader, led after 3 out, jumped right from next, kept on, ridden out flat, won at Wetherby 2m (3) gd in Oct beating Zipple Back (11-0) by 6l, 9 ran.
Holly Bush Henry (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Tracked front pair, disputed 2nd after 5 out, driven after next, ridden and one pace last, no impression with front pair flat, 3rd of 4, 6 1/4l behind Double W's (11-3) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Tommy Silver (FR) 3-1 (11-1) Tracked front pair, driven approaching 3 out, lost place next, ridden and weakened before last, 5th of 6, 17l behind Garde La Victoire (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Omessa Has (FR) 13-2 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, outpaced after 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, dist behind Katie Too (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f lst (1) gd in Apr.
Ritual Of Senses (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 3 out, headed after next, stayed on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 7, 4 3/4l behind Hassle (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Theligny (FR) 5-4fav (11-11) Made all, set modest pace early stages, not fluent 4 out or 3 out, driven and headed narrowly before last, led again flat, stayed on well, won at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Laugharne (11-2) by 1l, 5 ran.
Makethedifference (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, kept on from last, 5th of 11, 5 3/4l behind Theatrebar (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
