refused to race
held up in rear, went 4th 11th, closed next, not much room 3 out, mistake when weakening next
jumped left at times, led until 2nd, prominent, every chance 4 out, weakened before mistake last
chased leaders, challenged 3 out, led last, headed post
held up in 4th, dropped to last 11th, went left and slow 4 out, rallied 2 out, edged left after last, stayed on, edged right and went 2nd towards finish, led post
went left at times, prominent, jumped big 1st, led before next, headed last, 3rd and held towards finish
O Maonlai is a bit hit-and-miss but capable on his day. Crosspark won this last year and is only 2lb higher so warrants respect. Creep Desbois justified market support at Fakenham on his only his second start over fences and looks capable of better but Bright New Dawn has yet to win since switching to Venetia Williams and is getting little respite from the handicapper. Azzuri has had his limitations exposed recently so this can go to the in-form COLIN’S BROTHER, who has only won over 2m so far over fences but stayed this trip over hurdles so should last home.
Bright New Dawn (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Raced keenly, held up towards rear, hit 8th, driven 3 out, chased leaders next, soon ridden and one pace, never on terms, weakened flat, 6th of 9, 11 1/2l behind Doitforthevillage (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
O Maonlai (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) In rear and in touch, headway before 3 out, in 3rd and looked one pace when left 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 7l behind Kayf Adventure (11-3) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Crosspark 14-1 (11-9) Prominent, hit 10th, went 2nd 17th, mistake 3 out, lost 2nd before mistake 2 out, weakened into 4th last, 4th of 13, 27 1/2l behind Milansbar (11-7) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Creep Desbois (FR) 6-5fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd at 5th, ridden and every chance last, led bend on long run to finish, driven out (both fences in home straight omitted, 11 jumped), won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Popelys Gull (11-8) by 1l, 7 ran.
Colin's Brother 9-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, not fluent 9th, went 2nd 4 out, driven after 3 out, led last, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Ludlow 2m hcp (2) gs in Dec beating Festive Affair (11-12) by 3 3/4l, 6 ran.
Azzuri 8-1 (11-12) In rear, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 25 3/4l behind Ubaltique (11-8) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
