led at good pace until 6th, chased winner until 3 out, soon beaten
chased leader, joined leader 5th, led next, in command from 3 out, eased flat
chased leading pair, went 2nd approaching 3 out, soon no chance with winner
Whispered Secret is given the confident vote ahead of Nawamees and Scalloway with Kings Brook likely to be outclassed. The manner of Whispered Secret's recent win at Southwell when he beat Izzykeen marked him down as one to stay on the right side of. He won in emphatic fashion that day and although this is a more difficult contest he is impossible to oppose. Nawamees was a useful hurdler and although he did win over the bigger obstacles last time, it was a weak contest and he was far from convincing. Scalloway also won last time when beating Sardagna over this course and distance. He does go well in small fields and he is a good jumper so he will be interesting if he is allowed to dominate from the front. He will probably give our selection the most to think about, but Whispered Secret could prove to be a smart chaser and he sets the benchmark for the rest.
Scalloway (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Led to approaching 6th, jumped well throughout, led 7th, ridden after 2 out, ran on well approaching last, eased close home, won at N Abbot 2m nov chs (C) gd beating Sardagna (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Whispered Secret (GER) 4-5fav (11-0) In touch, driven to challenge approaching 12th, led approaching 3 out, soon clear, comfortably, won at Southwell 2m 5f beg chs (E) gd beating Izzykeen (11-0) by 14l, 9 ran.
Kings Brook 15-2 (11-3) In touch, ridden after 5th, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 9, 43l behind Commercial Flyer (11-10) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in Mar.
Nawamees (IRE) 4-6fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, hit 7th and 9th, not fluent 4 out, led narrowly 3 out, driven out flat, won at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (E) gf beating Diamond Joshua (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
