This is a quality finale with some talented novices, where a strong case can be made for several, however, I side with Weird Al, who overcame greenness to run out a decisive winner on his hurdling bow at Warwick, with Finney and Glenwood Knight set to make a race of it. Weird Al¿s win has been franked-the third won an Ascot contest, and he was not unsupported when scoring at Warwick. He will have benefitted for the experience and can defy a penalty. Glenwood Knight does not have the problem of a penalty, though he should have, unlucky in many eyes to lose an Exeter contest in the stewards¿ room. The fourth has since won and that form also looks solid. Receiving weight from his principal rivals, he will be thereabouts again. Although landing the odds at Plumpton last time, Finney was made to look one paced when a beaten favourite on his previous start. This is a much tougher assignment and he is opposed. Weird Al looks potentially exciting, and can take this en route to better things.
Finney 8-13fav (10-12) In touch, led 3 out, ridden out, won at Hereford 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs beating Penharold (10-12) by 5l, 15 ran.
Weird Al (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, led before 2 out, stayed on well flat, won at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Tisfreetdream (11-5) by 4l, 18 ran.
Glenwood Knight (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Prominent, led 5th, ridden and narrowly headed 2 out, soon hung left, rallied to lead flat, all out, finished 1st (placed 2nd), won at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Darstardly Dick (11-5) by a hd. Later dsq to 2nd, 10 ran.
Incentivise (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Chased leader, led after 1f, ridden 6f out and headed, weakened 3f out, 8th of 11, 25l behind Tim Henry (10-11) at N Abbot 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gf in Jul.
Inchloch 11-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out, 10th of 11, well behind Edgbriar (11-1) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Mollys Garden (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, weakened 3 out, 7th of 15, 18l behind Son of Flicka (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Solid Silver 33-1 (10-9) In touch, in 4th when blundered 5 out, never dangerous after, 6th of 14, well behind Ernst Blofeld (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft.
The Old Pretender (IRE) 13-8fav (10-12) Led, hit 2nd, ran wide on paddock bend, ridden and headed well before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Martys Mission (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Patchoulie Conti (FR) 50-1 (10-6) Prominent until weakened over 3f out, 13th of 14, 35l behind Pre Token (11-2) at Towcester 2m nhf (6) gd in Jun '07.
