tracked leader, led before 3 out, soon pressed, held on well run-in
held up in touch, went 3rd before 2 out, ridden and one pace
tracked leaders in 3rd place, challenged 3 out, every chance from next until no extra run-in
led and keen, not fluent throughout, headed before 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, mistake 4 out, weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, outpaced before 4 out
Embole has a cracking pedigree for jumping and had a run in a bumper in France in the summer. Outcrop won twice on the Flat for Hughie Morrison but was well beaten on his hurdling debut at Uttoxeter while Wishmaker, who has shown up nicely in two bumpers, doesn't have a NH pedigree and may struggle in the conditions. Act Of Valour is rated 97 on the Flat after some strong form in Ireland though he has never faced ground this testing. LOOK MY WAY won a 2m Ffos Las handicap by 20 lengths in September when making all on heavy ground. He's just the type his trainer does well with and can make a successful debut over timber. Shine Baby Shine won a very poor Southwell handicap in August but has shown nothing on Turf.
Act Of Valour 8-1 (9-9) Soon led, ridden and edged right under 2f out, under pressure and edged further right 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Spruce Meadows (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Aug.
Embole (FR) (9-11) last of 4, 7 1/2l behind El Makel (9-10) at Cluny 1m 4f gd in Jun.
Look My Way 6-4fav (8-8) Made all, drew readily clear over 2f out, unchallenged after, ridden when hung left towards far side rail over 1f out, eased well inside final furlong, very easily, won at Ffos Las 2m hcp (3) hvy in Sep beating Champagne Champ (10-0) by 22l, 6 ran.
Outcrop (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) In touch, mistake 4 out, chased clear winner next, never a threat, lost modest 2nd approaching last, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 35 3/4l behind Knight Destroyer (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gs in Oct.
Wishmaker 7-2jfav (10-12) Held up, headway 3f out, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, stayed on, 4th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Mabela (10-5) at Huntingdon 1m 6f (6) gd in Nov.
Shine Baby Shine 7-4fav (8-12) Slowly away, reminders in rear, headway over 2f out, led 2f out, kept on and headed close home, 2nd of 13, nk behind Hallstatt (10-3) at Newcastle 2m hcp (6) pol in Sep.
