tracked clear leader, hit 4th, left in lead when slightly hampered 3 out, soon hard pressed, ridden and kept on until headed and no extra towards finish
led and clear until ridden and idled approaching 4 out, 2 lengths clear and under pressure when blundered and unseated rider next
held up, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division main group, headway after 3 out, 4 lengths 3rd when not fluent last, driven and stayed on well flat to lead towards finish
prominent main group, lost place 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, no impression from next
behind, headway to join leaders 3 out, ridden and outpaced next, no extra approaching last
prominent main group, effort to challenge after 3 out, every chance when hit last, ridden and kept on same pace under pressure flat
mid-division main group, outpaced 3 out, never able to challenge
Blinded Bythelight and WINGULL were both held behind well-treated rivals last time and of the pair we take the latter to make it a quick fire double for George Baker. Richie McLernon takes the ride aboard the gelding who took a big step forward when second to Canni Thinkaar at Ludlow last time, a horse who went on to defy a penalty next time out. That form looks rock solid and if Wingull can repeat the dose over this shorter trip he must have a very decent chance here. Blinded Bythelight took second behind another Jim Best runner last time over this course and distance and although a 3lb rise makes life harder here this gelding is still well worthy of respect in a race that may not take much winning. The able Tom Molloy takes over in the saddle here and with conditions ideal the seven-year-old should be able to make his presence felt. John Charles represents Jim Best here and is therefore very interesting as the stable should have a good idea where they stand with the aforementioned animals. If this gelding is supported in the market it may well pay to take notice, particularly as the horse does have a reasonable chance anyway having been dropped a pound for taking third back in August. Crystal Prince is another with claims although it is a concern that this one remains winless over hurdles from thirteen starts. Nevertheless this is not a particularly strong race and with the stables runners going well enough the five-year-old isn't without a chance of breaking that duck. Heezagrey might be next best but he has an absence of over six months to contend with and so we'll side with the current form of Wingull to land the lucky last.
Wingull (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway on outside approaching 7th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 17l behind Canni Thinkaar (10-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Border Fox 66-1 (10-0) Led, clear after 3rd, blundered and reduced lead next, ridden and headed 3 out, weakening when blundered 2 out, 7th of 11, 29l behind Hunting Tower (11-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
John Charles (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Behind, headway 3 out, chased leader next, no extra approaching last, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Happy Reunion (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug.
Wednesdays Boy (IRE) 125-1 (10-12) Behind, struggling 3 out, never dangerous, 11th of 13, 43l behind The Giant Bolster (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Silver Prophet (IRE) 22-1 (10-5) Pressed leader until after 5th, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 13, 35l behind Roisin's Prince (10-12) at Towcester 2m sell hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Blinded Bythelight (IRE) 3-1 (10-8) Held up, good headway approaching 4th, chased winner after 3 out, no impression from next, not fluent last, 2nd of 8, 18l behind Calzaghe (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
Crystal Prince 3-1fav (10-3) Held up, weakened from 4 out, 8th of 10, 49l behind Laconicos (10-5) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Heezagrey (IRE) 11-2fav (10-9) Mid-division, ridden 8th, soon weakened, 6th of 18, 37l behind Dizzy Future (11-4) at Hereford 3m 2f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
