chased leaders, pushed along after 10th, weakened 4 out
tracked leaders on inside, travelling well approaching 3 out, 2nd before next, one pace after, no chance with winner
always towards rear, never involved
raced wide, held up, tailed off and pulled up before 10th
made virtually all, ridden and came clear from 2 out, stayed on strongly, easily
chased winner until before 7th, handy, 2nd again 4 out, pecked 3 out, lost 2nd approaching 2 out, chased leading pair, weakened before last
took keen hold, tracked leaders, blundered 6th, 2nd before next, went left 12th, lost 2nd 4 out, weakened before next
held up in touch, headway chasing leaders 10th, ridden before 2 out, went 3rd before last
Bramble Brook has returned from a mid-season break in fine form, winning at Plumpton and Fontwell, but a further 6lb rise may have just tipped him over the edge. Lord Bryan hinted at a return to form at Ffos Las last month but there is probably more to come from BIGPIPENOTOBACEE (NAP), who was encountering soft going for the first time over fences when successful at Market Rasen. Minella Scamp was second at Ffos Las on his first run for Fergal O’Brien while winning pointer Blackmill should appreciate the switch to fences. The Dawn Man has also won between the flags and has been showing promise over hurdles.
Bramble Brook 9-5 (11-12) Jumped soundly, tracked leader, pushed along and 3 lengths down approaching 3 out, led soon after 3 out, clear soon after, stayed on strongly, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Feb beating Rothman (11-9) by 8l, 3 ran.
Minella Scamp (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Towards rear and keen, headway before 5 out to chase leaders, chased winner from 4 out, kept on and always well held from last, 2nd of 8, 12l behind Looksnowtlikebrian (11-6) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Bigpipenotobacee (IRE) 3-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, led going well before 3 out, clear 2 out, stayed on run-in, ridden out, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Phoeniciana (10-13) by 1l, 4 ran.
King Kayf 4-1 (11-1) Chased leader until 6th, chased leaders, weakened 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gd in Mar.
Lord Bryan (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Led, headed before 6 out, outpaced 4 out, every chance last, kept on same pace in 3rd place, 3rd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Cawdor House Bert (10-6) at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Blackmill (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, pushed along and outpaced in 5th when blundered 3 out, 5th of 10, 18 1/4l behind Spider's Bite (11-4) at Ludlow 3m mdn (4) sft in Feb.
The Dawn Man (IRE) 5-2 (11-9) Led until after 3rd, tracked leader, led before 6th, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 21l behind Tyrell (11-12) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Russian Service 8-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, struggling 4 out, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
