towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, soon beaten
mid-division, headway into 3rd before 4 out, chased leader 3 out, led going well 2 out, soon ridden, drew clear run-in, eased final 110 yards, readily
prominent, pressed leader home turn, led before 3 out, pushed along and pressed before 2 out, headed after 2 out, weakened run-in
towards rear, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, never on terms
led, pressed home turn, ridden and headed before 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, outpaced and pushed along before 3 out, hit 3 out and soon weakened
chased leaders, pushed along home turn, hit 2 out, ridden and one pace after last
This is open with a wide weight range but OUR SURPRISE ran a fine second at Wetherby recently and now returns in a first-time tongue tie and hood. This is a better race but he makes plenty of appeal off the bottom rung with Sean Bowen booked. Tommy's Oscar, third in this year's Scottish Champion Hurdle, nearly always gives his running and should do so again having been eased 1lb by the assessor while Christopher Wood will be happier returned to handicap company after being outclassed by Sceau Royal last time. The latter completes the shortlist alongside Donald McCain’s stablemates Mackenburg and Navajo Pass.
Christopher Wood (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Led narrowly, headed before 3rd, still in touch 3 out, ridden before 2 out, faded before last, 4th of 6, 16 3/4l behind Sceau Royal (11-6) at Wincanton 1m 7f (1) gd in Nov.
Tommy's Oscar (IRE) 7-4fav (11-6) Towards rear, tracked leaders 5 out, pushed along and every chance 2 out, ridden before last and kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Bass Rock (10-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Calico (GER) 10-3fav (10-12) Raced in mid-division, made headway before 3 out, ridden after 2 out, weakened, 8th of 12, 21 3/4l behind Glory And Fortune (10-7) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Lignou (FR) 11-1 (10-13) Prominent and led from 3rd, slight mistake 7th, headed before 4 out, soon ridden and dropped towards rear before 3 out, weakened, tailed off, 9th of 12, dist behind Place Des Vosges (10-9) at Listowel 3m hcp gd in Jun.
Wicked West (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Prominent, mistake 2nd, led 3 out, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 14th of 15, 20 1/2l behind Stonific (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Mackenberg (GER) 4-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway to be prominent 4 out, led well before 3 out, soon ridden, pressed 2 out, headed after 2 out, kept on, no extra, 3rd of 14, 12 1/4l behind Haafapiece (11-10) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Thibault 40-1 (9-10) Off the pace in last pair, headway into mid-division over 3f out, plugged on in modest 4th over 1f out, 4th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Famous Star (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Our Surprise (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Raced keenly in mid-division, headway to track front rank before 3 out, ridden and pressed leaders 2 out, left in second 2 out, led before omitted last, kept on and swerved left run-in, headed close home, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Haafapiece (11-10) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Navajo Pass 6-1 (11-8) Soon led, not fluent 4th, headed after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 3rd of 6, dist behind Goshen (11-2) at Wincanton 1m 7f (1) hvy in Feb.
Homme Public (FR) 11-1 (10-8) Chased leaders on inside, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 14th of 22, 21l behind Jeff Kidder (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Mar.
