made all, not fluent 1st, ridden before 2 out, stayed on well
chased winner until before 4th where mistake, went 2nd again after omitted 3 out, stayed on, unable to challenge
held up in last, raced keenly, weakened after omitted 3 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, went 2nd before 4th until after omitted 3 out, soon weakened
held up in 4th, closed on inside bypassing omitted 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, no impression, well held last
Oxwich Bay probably needed his run at Chepstow in October but is only 1-20 over hurdles. HART OF STEEL beat a subsequent winner at Carlisle in the autumn and is only a pound higher. He should be capable of taking advantage of this drop in grade to get his head back in front reunited with Theo Gillard. The maiden Eaton Collina, Gerolamo Cardano and Stamina Chope all lack a recent run.
Hart Of Steel (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Chased leaders on inside, went 2nd before 2nd until 4 out, chased leaders, pushed along before next, losing place when hampered on rail before 2 out, no chance when badly hampered and nearly unseated rider last, 5th of 9, 31l behind Up For Parol (10-12) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Eaton Collina (IRE) 17-2 (11-9) Mid-division, not fluent 1st, headway after 4 out, one pace 2 out, well held 3rd before last, 3rd of 12, 11l behind Bembridge (10-8) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in May.
Stamina Chope (FR) 18-1 (10-12) Towards rear, ridden before 3 out, headway before 2 out, kept on for modest fourth towards finish, 4th of 12, 34 3/4l behind Saturn 'n Silk (11-5) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f (4) gd in Sep.
Oxwich Bay (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) In rear, effort and headway before 3 out, chased leaders 3 out, ridden and weakened before last, 4th of 10, 19 1/4l behind Certainly Red (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Gerolamo Cardano 11-1 (10-12) Towards rear, reminder after 3rd, soon last, struggling when not fluent 5th, no impression, 7th of 8, 28 1/4l behind Wasdell Dundalk (11-4) at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
