held up, headway and went left 11th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out
towards rear, lost touch from 10th, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten
led until 5th, led again 8th, stayed on strongly from 2 out, ridden out
prominent, led 5th until 8th, with winner, ridden and every chance after 3 out, held from next
chased leaders, ridden after 10th, kept on same pace from 3 out
in touch, ridden after 10th, soon weakened, pulled up after 3 out
jumped right, in touch, hit 9th, effort 12th, weakened after 3 out
Wizard Of Edge is a sporting choice over Alcatras and Yanns in a very tricky little contest. Yann's will be popular in the betting if his effort in chasing home the useful Abragante is taken on face value. Richard Phillip's charge made that 116-rated rival pull out all the stops here three weeks ago and he will be dangerous to rule out today. The gelding is well treated at present and he shapes as if his turn is not too far away. Alcatras has a feasible chance on these terms, as he won with a bit to spare here last time out. A 7lb rise in the weights obviously makes life a little harder but he is at the right end of the handicap to make a forward move. However, Wizard Of Edge has held his own against stiffer opponents since his return last November and, with his fitness now topped up, we expect a big run from the Ron Hodges-trained seven-year-old.
Joizel (FR) 33-1 (11-9) Held up, struggling 4 out, ridden and stayed on well from 2 out, nearest finish, 4th of 14, 9l behind Better Moment (11-1) at Taunton 2m 3f cnd hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Galtee View (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Always behind, tailed off from 10th, last of 8, well behind Naunton Brook (11-0) at Exeter 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Yann's (FR) 4-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, led after 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Abragante (11-8) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Even More (IRE) 11-1 (10-7) Mid-division when blundered and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Nykel (10-13) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Ironside (IRE) 8-1 (9-13) With leader, stumbled 9th, mistake and outpaced from 15th, stayed on from last, 5th of 14, 26l behind Kilbeggan Blade (11-7) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec.
Wizard of Edge 20-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden 12th, outpaced 13th, 4th of 11, 21l behind Alphabetical (11-11) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Monsieur Villez (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden 6th, soon weakened, 10th of 17, well behind Leading Authority (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Alcatras (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden to challenge 4 out, led approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec beating Tradingup (10-1) by 7l, 13 ran.
