jumped left, led, hit 8th, shaken up 4 out, ridden next, headed 2 out, well held flat
pressed leader, led 2 out, clear flat, stayed on well
tracked front pair, outpaced from 4 out, well beaten 2 out
NonRunner
RED SPINNER's fifth in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham was a cracking effort for a novice and it will be a surprise if Kim Bailey's six-year-old isn’t good enough to give weight to his three rivals in this. Gurkha Brave was a tailed-off last of four on his chasing bow at Uttoxeter in October but is probably better than that and could be the one for forecast-backers as Quick Brew hasn't shown much aptitude for jumping fences so far and Stormbay Bomber ran in snatches at Leicester in December.
Red Spinner (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, not fluent 10th, challenged 4 out, led after next, headed approaching last, no extra towards finish, 5th of 24, 8 1/4l behind Solar Impulse (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Gurkha Brave (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 10th, outpaced before 4 out, weakened next, hit 2 out, mistake last, last of 4, dist behind Killala Quay (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (3) gd in Oct.
Stormbay Bomber (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Prominent on outside, ridden after 8th, no impression from 3 out, 5th of 12, 16l behind Truckers Highway (11-0) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Quick Brew 7-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, not fluent 4 out, headway when not fluent 2 out, just over 2 lengths 3rd when blundered and unseated rider last, at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Mar.