disputed lead, led 5th to next, regained lead 8th, narrowly headed last, switched left and rallied well run-in, just held
always behind, tailed off 9th
tracked leaders, went 2nd and hit 4 out, driven along after next, upsides and mistake last, no extra under pressure run- in
narrow lead, mistake 4th, narrowly headed 5th, led next, headed 8th, lost 2nd next, weakened 3 out
held up, headway to chase leading pair 3 out, challenged 2 out, led last, driven and held on well run-in
raced wide, held up, struggling when jumped right 9th, soon tailed off
behind, blundered 4th, ridden and struggling 9th, soon tailed off and pulled up 3 out
Sole Agent is expected to follow up his recent victory, Wenger and Count Brora are also expected to run well. Gary Moore's five-year-old displayed much improved form to comfortably beat Master Mahogany at Taunton last time out. With ground and trip in his favour again this afternoon he will be hard to beat. Wenger has taken on much better opposition in the past but does appear to have lost his way. If returning to anywhere near his best he would have very strong claims in this company. Count Boris has claims on his run behind Minella Tipperary while top-weight Haggle Twins catches the eye following some good efforts over the larger obstacles. However Sole Agent appears to be on the upgrade and is taken to make it back to back victories.
Haggle Twins (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) In touch, ridden 11th, went 2nd next, hit 14th, lost 2nd 4 out and soon weakened, 5th of 7, 33l behind Tango Royal (11-12) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Sasso 14-1 (11-3) Mid-divsion, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 13, well behind Iffy (11-2) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Sole Agent (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Held up, ridden to challenge 3 out, soon led, stayed on gamely from last, won at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec beating Master Mahogany (11-7) by 2l, 10 ran.
Count Boris 5-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, lost place 8th, stayed on to take moderate 3rd last, 3rd of 8, 21l behind Shardakhan (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft.
Brendar (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, led approaching last, soon ridden and headed, no extra close home, 4th of 15, 5l behind Pearly Star (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Wenger (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway and hit 6th, tracked leaders after next, every chance approaching last, weakened flat, 9th of 15, 30l behind Pearly Star (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Secam (POL) 40-1 (9-11) Always in rear, 4th of 6, 18l behind Dance With Wolves (10-11) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
