took keen hold in touch, every chance from 4 out, hit 2 out, no extra flat
chased leaders, pushed along 10th, outpaced when short of room approaching 4 out, stayed on to challenge after 2 out, kept on under pressure to lead post
tracked leader, led after 9th, jumped left 6 out, strongly challenged from 4 out, hard ridden last, headed post
chased leaders, driven to challenge 2 out, soon no impression
led until after 9th, under pressure when hampered 6 out, soon weakened, tailed off
Harouet won over a longer trip here last November but is still 5lb higher and was pulled up in his final two starts of last season. Sergeant Pink has been in decent form over shorter trips recently but has shot up the weights and may struggle to get home on this stiff track. Or De Grugy hasn't won in this grade since 2010 and tends to reserve his best for Kelso while Time For Spring often flatters to deceive, though is only a pound higher than when winning at Sandown last season. LIVELY BARON was often highly tried last season but did manage to win at Sandown in December. He reappears on a 2lb lower mark and could be the type to catch fresh so gets the nod.
Sergeant Pink (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) In touch, went 2nd 4 out, 3 lengths down when left in lead 3 out, narrowly headed last, soon led again, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Sep beating Buck Mulligan (11-9) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Harouet (FR) 25-1 (10-0) Not fluent in last, hampered 13th, lost touch next, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Carruthers (10-8) at Ffos Las 3m 4f hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb, 12 ran.
Lively Baron (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway and in touch on outside 8th, ridden 4 out, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Flying Award (11-1) at Perth 3m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Apr, 13 ran.
Time For Spring (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) In touch, mistake 2nd, not fluent 11th, mistake and lost place 5 out, well beaten next, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Savant Bleu (11-7) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Or de Grugy (FR) 11-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, closed 7th, outpaced 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 7, 22l behind You Know Yourself (11-4) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.