shared 2nd behind clear leader, closed before 10th, led 2 out, clear last, easily
shared 2nd behind clear leader, not fluent 8th, closed before 10th, something amiss after 4 out and soon pulled up
led, mostly clear until before 10th, headed 2 out, one pace last
last but in touch, struggling 9th, behind next, pulled up before 4 out
STONE LIGHT, who won at Warwick in the spring, is taking a huge drop in class after starting this season with a fifth in a Listed chase at Ascot. The return to a longer trip will suit and he can complete a quick double for trainer and jockey. Ffos Las winner Humbel Ben is back in the right grade after being well beaten at Chepstow while Free World didn't fare badly at Warwick 11 days ago but Mister Grez has been campaigned over further lately though he, too, is eased in grade.
Mister Grez (FR) 9-1 (9-9) Held up in touch, headway and prominent on outside 14th, outpaced before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Hey Big Spender (11-12) at Newcastle 3m listed hcp chs (1) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Stone Light (FR) 15-2 (10-0) Held up in last trio, modest 5th after 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 9, 18l behind Ulck Du Lin (9-13) at Ascot 2m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Nov.
Free World (FR) 16-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, led until 2 out, no impression on winner last, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 8, 10l behind It's A Steal (11-11) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
Humbel Ben (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Held up in last pair, behind from 8th, making headway on inside when mistake and hampered 5 out, weakened before next, 4th of 8, 35l behind Tolkeins Tango (10-11) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.