mid-division in chasing group, headway to chase winner 3 out until approaching 2 out, chased winner again soon after 2 out, kept on, no chance with easy winner
in rear of main group, mistake 2nd, ridden, weakened 3 out
made all, allowed unassailable lead before 2nd, not fluent throughout, jumped badly right 3 out and 2 out, very easily
close up in chasing group, ridden, weakened 3 out
mid-division in chasing group, headway, hit 3 out, ridden to chase winner when hit 2 out, soon lost 2nd, weakened
held up in chasing group, ridden, weakened 3 out
chased winner until 3 out, soon weakened
It will be a surprise if this doesn't go to one of the debutants and Phillip Hobbs' ROUGHAM is fancied to come out on top ahead of History Lesson and Woodlark Island. This race has a decent history with the likes of Pepite De Soleil, Twist Magic and Ashkazar all winning recent renewals whilst the Minehead trainer won it with Liberate in 2006. It remains to be seen whether any of this year's crop can attain similar heights but Rougham should be able to give a good account. Woodlark Island was rated in the seventies on the level where his only success came in maiden company. He should be a fair hurdler if translating that level of ability to the winter game and the market can guide. History Lesson was far superior to that pair on the level so has to be feared whereas Brad's Luck was a modest performer whose fortunes will need to be transformed if he's to take a hand. A market check is essential but Rougham gets the nod.
Brad's Luck (IRE) 17-2 (8-10) Chased leaders, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Bute Street (8-13) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct (flat).
History Lesson 10-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Luc Jordan (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct (flat).
Rougham 5-1 (9-2) Soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, lost 2nd when weakening 1f out, 4th of 11, 9l behind Blue Nymph (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Sep (flat).
Super Fourteen 150-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, badly hampered 4th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Ultimate (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Nov, 11 ran.
Woodlark Island (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, no extra well inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Uncle Fred (9-8) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) std in Oct (flat).
Bari Bay 20-1 (10-2) Held up behind leaders, pushed along after 5th, lost touch after next, tailed off when hit 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Anak (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov, 5 ran.
Lady Of Ashcott 66-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, soon prominent, lost place after 3 out, 6th of 8, 31l behind Singapore Reef (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
