led, headed 3 out, lost 3rd place from last, one pace
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, chased winner before last, kept on and held towards finish
with leader, weakened from 4 out
held up in rear, effort 4 out, one pace and no impression
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 3rd from last, one pace
held up in touch, led 3 out, ridden run-in, held on well
It would be no surprise to see Browns Brook run well after a break. Vikekhal still has plenty of scope while O'Callaghan Strand isn't badly treated, despite top weight, though was well beaten last time at Uttoxeter. VENETIAN LAD could run around here blindfold and a recent third over track and trip will have brought him forward. Lydia Richards' course specialist can come up trumps again as Boss In Boots would have preferred quicker ground and Alanjou isn't progressing.
O'callaghan Strand (AUS) 9-2 (11-6) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, outpaced 5 out, never near leaders, weakened from 3 out, 8th of 10, 29l behind Papradon (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Sep.
Vikekhal (FR) 5-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, held up tracking leading trio, not fluent 9th, 2nd after 4 out, disputing 2nd when blundered 3 out, definite 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner, weakened run in, 4th of 5, 13l behind Comeonginger (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd.
Browns Brook (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost place 5th, slow 12th, soon beaten, behind when pulled up 4 out, in a race won by Duneen Point (10-11) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Mar, 5 ran.
Boss In Boots (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, jumped right and not fluent 4th, went 2nd 3 out, no impression on winner when not fluent last, 2nd of 9, 12l behind Overclear (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gf in Jun.
Venetian Lad 10-1 (10-6) Held up tracking leaders, 3rd at 6th until after 10th, outpaced 4 out, no chance after, went modest 3rd again at the last, 3rd of 6, 31l behind The Nephew (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
Alanjou (FR) 15-2 (11-1) Mid-division, 6th when brought down 9th, in a race won by The Omen (9-7) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft, 12 ran.
