chased leaders, not fluent 5th, 4th 3 out, not fluent 2 out, 5th and weakening before last, went 4th flat
chased leader 2nd, weakened after 7th, pulled up before 3 out
led, not fluent 4th, headed after 3 out, 4th and no extra last, dropped to 5th flat
held up towards rear on inside, some headway after 7th, ridden in 6th 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 6th, went 2nd 2 out, led last, headed towards finish
chased leaders on outside, lost place 4th, well beaten before 3 out
in rear, ridden and well beaten before 3 out
towards rear, ridden after 7th, closed after 2 out, hit last, stayed on, led towards finish
mid-division, closed 4th, challenged 3 out, soon led, not fluent 2 out, not fluent and headed last, held towards finish
chased leader until 2nd, stayed handy, 5th 3 out, weakened and pulled up before next
held up in mid-division, ridden after 7th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
Voyage De Retour has only had four runs over hurdles and placed three times. Caswell Bay won off a 4lb higher mark over course and distance less than a year ago and will be all the better for his run at Haydock. Ludlow third Jaunty Viking won over a longer trip at Ffos Las last summer and Lydford Lad won at that track in November, though didn’t fare as well on a return visit. Garincha finished off strongly to get off the mark at Wetherby on Boxing Day and, though penalised, will be 3lb higher from next week. HELIOS ALLEN (NAP) is preferred, however, having already won over track and trip this winter. A later third at Exeter is working out well with the first and second both successful off higher marks since.
Point Of Principle (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Led, ridden when headed before 3 out, no headway and losing place rapidly, pulled up before 2 out, at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Affoburg (FR) 25-1 (11-0) Mid division, not fluent, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 14l behind Fancytastic (11-2) at Bordeaux Le Bouscat 2m 3f hcp in Oct.
Lydford Lad (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Pulled hard, held up in last trio, pulled way through to track leaders 4th, slight peck 4 out, steadied in last pair and still pulling 4 out, closer before next, ridden and found nil before 2 out, 5th of 8, 22 1/4l behind Bowtogreatness (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) hvy in Dec.
Helios Allen (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, raced keenly, headway 5th, hanging left before 3 out, no impression on winner 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 12, 4 1/4l behind Tip Top Cat (11-9) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Garincha (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Towards rear, steady headway 4 out, progress to chase leaders 3 out, ridden before 2 out, led after last, stayed on strongly flat, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Dedanser (11-9) by 4 3/4l, 14 ran.
Caswell Bay 25-1 (10-11) Raced wide, chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, stayed on again run-in, never any chance with leading duo, 5th of 9, 11 3/4l behind Green Book (11-5) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Voyage De Retour (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, pushed along under 4 out, soon ridden and left behind well over 3 out, 4th of 5, dist behind Galop De Chasse (11-0) at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Straight Swap (IRE) 22-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, kept on run-in, never dangerous, 5th of 14, 16l behind Glimpse Of Gala (11-8) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Jaunty Viking 20-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, headed 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Green Book (12-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Kenny George 11-2 (11-8) Prominent, upsides 5th, led narrowly 3 out, drew clear under pressure 2 out, reduced advantage last, headed flat, 2nd of 16, 1 3/4l behind Alkopop (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
Akkapenko (FR) 25-1 (11-6) Disputed lead until 6th, ridden and weakened 2 out, 11th of 14, 17 3/4l behind Kendelu (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
