tracked leaders in 3rd place, pushed along 10th, chased winner before 4 out, kept on and always held
made all, ridden before 2 out, clear before last
tracked winner early, in rear and in touch, headway before 11th, one pace in 3rd from 4 out
in rear early, soon tracked winner, weakened from 6 out
NonRunner
Bako De La Saulaie won a couple of minor handicaps over hurdles around a year ago and makes his chasing debut on an 18lb higher mark than his last victory so faces a tough task on his reappearance. Progress Drive won a bumper and scored three times over hurdles before making a promising debut over fences at Carlisle. He looks certain to go well, though LOUGH DERG JEWEL (NAP) will take all the beating. Donald McCain's charge made all for a convincing victory over the track and trip on his chasing debut and a 5lb rise seems unlikely to prevent a double. Strong Economy won over hurdles on heavy going here and is no forlorn hope on his chasing bow but Spanish Fleet, who was in very good form around this time last year, has been running poorly.
Progress Drive (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, went 3rd from 2 out, every chance last, kept on same pace, 4th of 5, 2 1/4l behind Brio Conti (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f (3) sft in Nov.
Lough Derg Jewel (IRE) 13-2 (11-8) Jumped well, made all, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well, driven out, unchallenged, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov beating Chateau Robin (10-9) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Strong Economy (IRE) 9-4jfav (11-12) Led to after 3rd, tracked leader, driven and lost place approaching 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression with front pair before last, 3rd of 4, 11l behind Jet Master (11-6) at Perth 2m hcp (4) hvy in Sep.
Spanish Fleet 20-1 (11-8) In rear, soon detached, 8th of 11, dist behind Plus Jamais (11-9) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Bako De La Saulaie (FR) 11-4fav (12-2) Held up mid-division, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, led run-in, driven out, won at Wetherby 3m hcp (5) gs in Dec beating Joseph Mercer (10-1) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
