raced keenly, chased leaders, went 2nd 5th until next, chased leaders, weakened and dived at 2 out
led, joined 2 out, narrowly headed last, rallied towards finish, just held
mid-division on inside, headway chasing leaders approaching 4 out, pushed along before 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, kept on same pace in 3rd from 2 out
keen in mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 2 out, kept on same pace in 4th from last
jumped slowly when outpaced 4 out, always towards rear
towards rear, closer in mid-division before 4 out, plugged on from 2 out
chased leader until 5th, chased leaders, weakened after 4 out, soon behind
pulled very hard, held up towards rear, closer in mid-division and still pulling 3rd, lost place before 6th, 7th and no chance when hit last and unseated rider soon after
wore hood to post, chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, challenged 2 out, led narrowly last, strongly pressed and kept on gamely towards finish
never closer than mid-division, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out
reminders in rear after 4th, always behind
refused to race and took no part
Runswick Bay has finished second on both hurdles starts to date at Exeter but was no match for Bravemansgame last time and that one is trained by Paul Nicholls, who runs CONFIRMATION BIAS in this. Harry Cobden’s mount, who had decent bumper form, was a well-beaten fourth on his hurdles bow at Ayr but the form of that race has been franked and he’ll know more today. Dorking Lad has a chance if settling better than when third at Sandown and Grisbi De Berce is also a likely improver. The Longest Day, Dont Go Gentle and Presuming Ed are others worth a second look in an interesting opener.
Baignard (FR) 125-1 (10-12) Midfield, lost place 6th, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 13, dist behind Ocean Drifter (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Confirmation Bias (IRE) 17-2 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along 3 out, soon faded out of contention, 4th of 6, 36 3/4l behind Do Your Job (11-4) at Ayr 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Dont Go Gentle (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 3 out, 2nd and hung left when mistake 2 out, beaten 4th when not fluent last, 4th of 11, 7 3/4l behind Calum Gilhooley (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f (3) gd in Sep.
Dorking Lad 16-1 (11-0) Towards rear, took keen hold, some headway 3 out, then eye-catching headway when pushed along and went second 2 out, not fluent 2 out and soon ridden, weakened after the last, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Adrimel (11-0) at Sandown 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Duc De Bourbon (FR) 13-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 1st, jumped right 4th, not fluent next, went 2nd after 3 out, no chance with winner from next, lost 2nd, weakened and fell last, at Fakenham 2m mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Etoile Rebelle (FR) 9-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, ridden over 5f out, some headway on outside 3f out, no impression, 9th of 15, 22 1/4l behind Third Time Lucki (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m (5) sft in Jan.
Grisbi De Berce (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway 2 out, no impression and well held when slightly hampered last, 5th of 10, 18l behind Captain Morgs (10-12) at Ascot 2m (3) sft in Oct.
Minimalistic (IRE) 5-2jfav (12-0) won at Upcott Cross 3m gd in May beating Golander (12-0) by 12l, 9 ran.
Presuming Ed (IRE) 17-2 (11-0) Steadied start, pulled hard in last pair, headway in 4th after 3 out, kept on into 3rd and hit last, never near leading duo, 3rd of 8, 12 3/4l behind Song Of The Hunter (11-0) at Taunton 2m mdn (5) sft in Mar.
Runswick Bay 15-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2nd, went 2nd before 3 out, no impression on winner, kept on, 2nd of 11, 11l behind Bravemansgame (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f (3) gd in Nov.
Spanish Jump (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, niggled along before 4th, mistake 3 out, 3rd and no impression before 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Cadzand (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Nov.
The Longest Day (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Towards rear then mid-division, kept wide, headway to track leader 4 out, pushed along and outpaced 2 out, soon detached from the leading group, stayed on to pass one rival and claim 3rd run-in, 3rd of 7, 21l behind Bobby Bow (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Nov.
Toad Of Toad Hall 66-1 (11-0) Tracked leader over 4f, chased leaders, pushed along 4f out, soon weakened and behind, tailed off, last of 10, dist behind Petrossian (11-0) at Newbury 2m (5) gd in Nov.
Valentines Jewel (IRE) (11-5) Hdwy 7f out; wknd 5f out; t.o, last of 7, dist behind Latitude (11-12) at Maisemore Park 2m gs in Oct.
