made all, clear 2 out, easily
tracked winner until blundered and unseated rider 3rd
chased leaders and not fluent, weakened from 5th, pulled up before 2 out, tailed off
in rear, chased winner before 5th, no impression
Not at his best in the Grade 2 Persian War at Chepstow a fortnight ago, BAGAD BIHOUE is still a cut above these. He’d won his previous three starts over hurdles and Jack Sherwood’s claim helps ease the burden of cumulative penalties. Coeur Tantre found a 7lb rise beyond him at Exeter last time having won at Newton Abbot earlier while Amalfi Doug made a decent start over hurdles when third at Stratford but the remainder look up against it on what little they have shown so far.
Bagad Bihoue (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Pulled hard tracking leaders, lost place 3 out, 6th of 9, dist behind El Bandit (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f (1) gd in Oct.
Coeur Tantre (IRE) 6-4fav (11-9) Held up in touch in last, closed 5th, not fluent next, 2nd before 3 out, soon ridden, mistake and beaten last, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Stynes (11-7) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) gf in Oct.
Brother Norphin 50-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, outpaced over 4f out, never a threat, 8th of 11, dist behind Red Square Revival (11-0) at Worcester 2m (6) gd in Sep.
Double Treasure 20-1 (11-0) Led approaching 2nd, headed before 4 out, weakened quickly, 11th of 12, dist behind Midnight Tour (10-7) at Bangor 2m 1f mdn (5) sft in Mar.
Amalfi Doug (FR) 11-1 (11-4) Led, ridden and headed last, held by winner and lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Kalaskadesemilley (11-4) at Stratford 2m mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Captain Bonsai 100-1 (10-12) Pressed leader until 2nd, not fluent next, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 5, dist behind Lostock Hall (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gf in Oct.
