tracked leading trio until jumped slowly and lost place last pair, 1st, not fluent 6th (water), 4th before 3 out, went modest 3rd next
made all, pushed along before 3 out, joined next, ridden and headed before last, one pace run-in
chased winner until before 11th, chased leaders, weakened quickly before 3 out, tailed off
held up in touch, pushed along in 3rd before 3 out, soon no impression, weakened into 4th next
tracked leading pair, 2nd before 11th, challenged going well 2 out, led before last, clear last, stayed on well, ridden out
The five-year-old Brook is a possible improver having had just the three starts over fences but Red Penny showed little on his belated debut over the larger obstacles. Call The Detective easily justified favouritism on heavy going at Fontwell on Boxing Day but has been a bit disappointing since. UMBERTO D'OLIVATE (NAP) was only fourth when joint favourite at Chepstow earlier this month but that was a stronger heat than this. He was only beaten two lengths off a 15lb higher mark over this track and trip in November and a repeat of that effort would suffice. Mountain Of Mourne was only beaten half-a-length when tried over 3m at Chepstow last time and looks the danger.
Mountain Of Mourne (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Always prominent, went 2nd at 2nd, mostly chased winner after, pushed along before 5 out, ridden before 4 out, 4 lengths down last, closed on idling winner near finish, just held, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Captain Flash (10-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Umberto D'olivate (FR) 9-2jfav (11-9) In touch, lost place when hit 10th, struggling next, stayed on from 2 out, no impression on leaders, 4th of 9, 11 1/4l behind Wood Yer (11-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Call The Detective (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) In rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Emma Soda (11-6) at Towcester 3m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Red Penny (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) In touch, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up before 4 out, at Exeter 2m 3f (3) hvy in Dec.
Brook (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, chased leaders 4 out, one pace next, ridden to take modest 4th before last, no chance with front trio, 4th of 11, 16 3/4l behind Special Wells (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
