This Prestige Steeplechase over 4150m was a real dour affair the closing stages and the superior stamina of Wise Man Say prevailed the final 50m. Wise Men Say in three runs before today over the Ellerslie hill had finished fifth twice and fallen the other time. The rising 8yo raced fourth mostly today then was flat as a pancake with 600m to go and looking unlikely to pay a dividend but as those ahead tired and stopped he keep one-batting. He only got to the lead with 50k to run and scored by just under two lengths in 5:17.43 and record his fifth win in seventeen starts of which four have come as a steeplechaser. Obviously today was the first time he won or placed in a Prestige jumping event. Crash Bandicoot sat last then improved third up the hill for second and final time before reaching second at the 600m. The rising 9yo actually led at the 100m but could not withstand the strength of the winner late. Nell’s Belle led up and gave a great sight until headed the final 100m and she seems best when let run along at her own speed. Just Got Home in a first steeplechase start was sixth then fifth before moving into third at the 600m only to weaken and finish fourth beaten almost nine lengths. He will be better for the longer outing and bigger fences so expect the rising 10yo to cope as a steeplechaser better when next seen out in this role. Big Brownie was a grinding fifth and Jack Romanov blew out late to finish sixth but his main target as usual each year is the Great Northern Steeplechase in September. Joking stopped badly to be beaten forty-one lengths while Fair Script was pulled up a long way out. Poor field for size and depth and many of them old and not having too much more racing left in them. Wise Men Say now he has got the Ellerslie hill bogey off his back will be set for the Great Northern (6400m) in September all going well between now and then. Crash Bandicoot the same and both will likely come back here next month and tackle the Hunt Cup (4900m).