towards rear, ridden 3 out, soon ridden, weakened and blundered 2 out, pulled up before last
in touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, ridden and weakened after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 8th, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden and weakened 2 out
towards rear, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
held up, headway and chased leaders 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway on bit approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace
made all, blundered 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, driven clear flat, readily
held up, ridden and weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, mistake 2nd, chased leader 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
held up last, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Matters are complicated by a number of the field moving into handicap company for the first time with a few also stepping up in trip to further muddy the waters. It may pay to tread carefully but there's been plenty to like about the efforts of OLD BRIGADE in handicap company with a close eye kept on Irish Toast, Blue Steel Boy and Floradora Do amongst others. Jonjo O'Neill's charge left the form of his first three runs behind to run out an impressive winner on his handicap bow and it was no great surprise to see him turned out again under a penalty. He landed that race with the minimum of fuss too and may well complete his hat-trick despite this looking tougher and being 12lbs higher. Irish Toast should be suited by this longer trip now handicapping with the stamina test also likely to suit Irish raider Blue Steel Boy given the way that he stayed on last time. Floradora Do makes the short-list because of her trainer and it is interesting that Nicholls is persevering with a horse rated just 75 as it's unlikely that he's struggling to fill his boxes. Wise Men Say could go well up in trip from an 8lb higher mark given that his jockey claimed that he needed 3 stone in hand to win last time and might as well throw the names of Serengeti Sunset and Gentle Mulla in for good measure to cover our options but it's Old Brigade that we'll take to lead them home.
The Hudnalls (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Held up and behind, stayed on from 2 out, never nearer, 4th of 14, 32l behind Spare Cash (11-1) at Uttoxeter 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Apr.
Blue Steel Boy (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway before straight, 7th 2 out, 6th before last, kept on same pace, 5th of 20, 6l behind Arkendale (11-6) at Tipperary 2m 4f hacp hdl gd in May.
Saddler George (IRE) 40-1 (11-9) Always towards rear, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Bally Conn (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Oct, 21 ran.
Wise Men Say (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Led to 1st, led 5th to 3 out, led approaching last, pushed out flat, rider celebrated half a furlong out, kept on, won at Wincanton 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Dancewiththedevil (11-12) by 2l, 11 ran.
Mickwell Bay 100-1 (10-12) Chased leader until approaching 4th, weakened 3 out, 12th of 18, 36l behind Frontier Dancer (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Old Brigade (IRE) Evensfav (9-7) Held up, headway 6th, joined leaders 3 out, led on bit after 2 out, clear when hit last, comfortably, won at Exeter 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov beating Lupita (10-11) by 6l, 6 ran.
Gentle Mulla (IRE) 15-2 (11-10) Mid-division, headway and in touch when blundered badly 7th, led briefly between last 2, no extra run-in, 5th of 15, 13l behind Boysterous (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Nov.
Irish Toast (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 16, well behind Fair Point (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
