held up, headway approaching 9th, weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, reminders after 2nd, weakened after 8th
held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, went 2nd after 2 out, one pace
with leaders, not fluent 2nd, led 4th until approaching 3 out, soon weakened
with leaders, led 2nd to 4th, led and mistake 3 out, clear 2 out, stayed on well.
led to 2nd, chased leaders until approaching 9th
chased leaders until 4th, behind from 7th, pulled up before 8th
never going well, always behind, mistakes 6th, pulled up after 7th
mid division, headway 7th, ridden and weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, every chance when mistake 3out, mistake 2 out, weakened approaching last
behind from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
always behind
held up and behind, still over 20 lengths adrift 9th, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
held up, headway and mistake 9th, never troubled leaders
mid-division, driven after 4th, weakening when mistake 7th, tailed off
Young Lorcan can complete a hat-trick at the expense of General Gossip, Moustique de L'Isle, Euradream and Brisbane Road. The form of Young Lorcan stands out here, the nine-year-old having won each of his last two starts here in November. He made the most of a fair handicap mark when scoring over hurdles on the first occasion and then duly followed up back over fences next time. That was over three miles, the distance of today's race, and was gained off a chase rating of 94. However, back over hurdles again, he can in effect race off a five-pound lower mark, and with jockey Richard Spate taking off seven-pounds, he looks well in still. The selection gets lumps of weight off General Gossip, another chaser turned hurdler. He will go on the ground, but has his first outing since May and is therefore passed over. Moustique de L'isle is an out-and-out stayer who the trainer feels will develop into a Welsh National candidate in a couple of years time. He too lines up better treated than over fences and should not be discounted totally. Euradream patently needed his return at Wincanton after a 20-month absence and is another to keep on the right side, while Brisbane Road had a bad experience on his chase debut at Plumpton and will be more at home here. They can all play a part in proceedings, but we fully expect Young Lorcan to take all the beating.
General Gossip (IRE) 5-2fav (11-1) Held up, smooth headway to track leading pair after 9th, soon ridden, found nothing, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Admiral Peary (11-2) at Exeter 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy in May.
The Flyer (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) In touch until weakened 7th, 5th of 12, 26l behind The Gangerman (9-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy.
Euradream (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, ridden with some headway after 8th, one pace, 6th of 13, 21l behind Lord Nellsson (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Nov.
Moustique de L'Isle (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Held up, reminders after 3rd, struggling when mistake 13th, stayed on from 2 out but not a danger, 5th of 12, 15l behind Koumba (11-3) at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Nov.
Ironside (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Prominent, ridden 8th, weakened next, last of 8, well behind Rosetown (10-2) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) sft in Nov.
Brisbane Road (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Soon behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 9th in race won by Trenance (10-4) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft, 12 ran.
Ask The Umpire (IRE) 33-1 (9-9) Always behind, tailed off when fell 4 out in race won by Va Vavoom (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (E) gs, 10 ran.
Young Lorcan 4-1fav (10-13) Held up in rear, steady headway 11th, led and blundered 14th, ridden 2 out, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gs in Nov beating Finzi (10-10) by 5l, 10 ran.
