tracked leaders in 3rd, outpaced from 4 out
in rear, headway before 7 out, pushed along after 4 out, well held in 3rd when left 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner
held up in touch, led before 3 out, pressed when left clear 2 out
with leader, led before 8th, fell 5 out
led, headed before 8th and driven, lost place after 12th, plugged on to take 3rd before last, never dangerous
in touch in 4th, took closer order after 12th, left in lead 5 out, headed before 3 out, still every chance 3 out, a close 2nd when fell 2 out
TYPICAL OSCAR overcame inexperience to gain a hard-fought victory over the course and distance three weeks ago but a 9lb rise looks a bit harsh. However, he's improving all the time and can give A P McCoy a winning start to his busy day. The Last Bridge also has a victory over track and trip to his credit and has continued in good form over fences. He jumps and stays well and Richard Johnson will ensure he gets the stamina test he requires. Cruising Bye should be thereabouts though he's been beaten off lower marks than this since scoring at Ffos Las a year ago, though Sean Bowen's claim will aid his cause while the once promising Icy Colt is slowly making his way back after a spell in the doldrums.
Icy Colt (ARG) 12-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, kept on same from 2 out, 6th of 7, 8l behind Moyne Nineoseven (11-6) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gf in Jul.
Cruising Bye 16-1 (10-5) Last pair, plugged on into modest 3rd at the last, went 2nd final 50 yards, flattered by proximity to heavily eased winner, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Smiles For Miles (11-1) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
Harangue (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Held up in last, some progress 5 out, ridden and no impression from next, never a factor, 8th of 11, well behind Black Zero (10-2) at Gowran Park 2m 2f hcp chs hvy in Nov.
Legendary Hop 8-1 (11-6) Chased leader, not fluent 10th, disputing 2nd when mistake 3 out, soon ridden and beaten, lost poor 3rd close home, last of 4, 21l behind Southway Star (10-7) at Fakenham 3m (4) sft in Nov.
The Last Bridge 7-2 (11-3) Held up in touch, 3rd after 8th, went prominent 12th, blundered 13th, pushed along before next, pushed along in 4th and outpaced before 2 out, rallied on inside into 2nd flat, stayed on near finish, just held, 2nd of 6, nk behind Chac Du Cadran (11-12) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Nov.
Typical Oscar (IRE) 9-4fav (11-9) Chased leading pair, reminder and went 2nd after 12th, led 13th, narrowly headed after 4 out, stayed challenging, led again final 120 yards, won at Southwell 3m hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Nov beating Head Spin (11-9) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
