chased leaders, led 11th, headed after 2 out, soon ridden, one pace
held up, not fluent 7th, ridden after 9th, weakened 11th, tailed off
chased leaders, mistake 5th, led 7th to 11th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
not fluent, always behind, lost touch after 9th, no danger after
held up, not fluent 7th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, led after 2 out, ridden out
held up in touch, went 2nd approaching 4 out until approaching 3 out, weakened after 3 out
led to 7th, still close 3rd when blundered badly 10th, not recover, pulled up before 4 out
Glen Thyne, Parish Oak and Billy Bray look the three to concentrate on in this trappy opener and the narrow vote is given to Parish Oak. The selection was third behind Glen Thyne last time out but is five pounds better off for two and a half lengths and with conditions to suit he is taken to gain his revenge. Glen Thyne rates the main danger as he won in game fashion last time but all his best form is at Towcester and he is taken on with this in mind. Billy Bray is another that could go well on his best form but that has come over a shorter trip. Red Square Lad is from a yard in form and could go well at a price but the suspicion is he may just need the run after a 355-day absence and with this in mind for the winner we return to Parish Oak.
Give Me Love (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Held up, mistake 5th, headway next, weakened 10th, soon well behind, 5th of 8, 30l behind Lucifer Bleu (10-7) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Billy Bray 7-2jt-fav (11-9) Tracked leader to 6th, drive along next, soon lost place, 7th of 9, 17l behind Jupon Vert (11-9) at Folkestone 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Red Square Lad (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Led to 7th, led again after 10th, headed 14th, weakening when hit 15th pulled up 4 out in race won by Chabrimal Minster (11-4) at Warwick 3m 2f nov chs (4) sft, 8 ran.
Ackhurst (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) In touch, headway approach 8th, ridden 4 out, stayed on to go 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 15l behind Mister Quasimodo (11-3) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (4) hvy in Jan.
Parish Oak 6-1 (11-12) Held up, behind 5th, hampered 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, nearest finish, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Glen Thyne (11-0) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.
Glen Thyne (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Held up, headway 6th, outpaced 9th, rallied 2 out, led flat, stayed on, won at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft beating Lusaka De Pembo (11-3) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Worlaby Dale 22-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed 9th, weakened after 13th, 4th of 6, 41l behind Dom d'Orgeval (11-5) at Fakenham 3m beg chs (4) gs in Jan.
Silent Gunner 7-1 (10-0) Led 2nd, headed and lost place after 5th, ridden when fell at the 7th in race won by Hiers De Brouage (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov, 8 ran.
