pressed leader, led narrowly 6th until after next, lost place and ridden after 13th, weakened before 5 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, pushed along from 11th, ridden before 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off
in touch, chased leading pair before 5 out, outpaced after next, rallied to chase winner last, tired flat, no impression when lost 2nd towards finish
led narrowly, headed 6th, regained narrow lead after next, headed 3 out, soon ridden, 3rd and one pace last, stayed on to regain 2nd towards finish
held up in touch, headway to join leader 13th, led 3 out, stayed on well
This looks really tricky with only chasing debutant Green Hackle easily dismissed. Big Occasion hasn't really fired over fences yet but inconsistent hurdler Curtain Razer is expected to take to chasing as he's a half-brother to Irish National hero Hear The Echo. Imperial Circus posted a much better effort at Sandown last time but heavy ground is a worry for him and Mountainous has something to prove over the trip, though he handles today's going. Neither ground nor distance are a problem for MARINGO BAY and a repeat of last season's second to Alfie Spinner over C&D will see him go very close in this.
Big Occasion (IRE) 5-2fav (11-2) With leader, led 7th, headed 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out, 3rd of 8, 17l behind Cloudy Too (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 4f Beginners Chase (0-125) (4yo+) (3) hvy in Nov.
Green Hackle (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, chased leaders before 3 out, went 3rd before last, kept on, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Bucking The Trend (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Imperial Circus (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Chased leader until 18th, stayed chasing leaders under pressure, went 2nd and stayed on flat, closed on winner, always just held, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Time For Spring (11-9) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Maringo Bay (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, jumped big 13th, ridden before 2 out, weakened and lost 3rd 2 out, weakened sooon after, 4th of 6, 22l behind Highland Lodge (11-3) at Towcester 3m Beginners Chase (0-140) (4yo+) (3) gs in Nov.
Mountainous (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Led, headed approaching 3 out, no impression on winner next, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Howard's Legacy (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m 3f Beginners Chase (0-125) (4yo+) (3) sft in Nov.
Curtain Razer (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Mid-division, fell 5th, in a race won by Fair Along (11-12) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Nov, 17 ran.
