led after 1st, headed next, mistake and headed 2 out, soon switched right, rallied flat, stayed on, led close home
in touch in mid-division, not fluent 7th, effort 5 out,
held up towards rear, hit 6th, effort 3 out, hampered last, switched left towards finish, unable to get on terms
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway 5 out, hampered after 2 out, no extra when mistake last
tracked leaders, mistake 6th, mistake 5 out, still close 3rd when mistake and unseated rider 2 out
led until 1st, prominent, lost place 4th, struggling 4 out, soon behind
held up towards rear on outside, went long at the 3rd, pecked 4 out, weakened before 2 out
held up in touch, went 2nd before the 2nd, led 2 out, headed just after last, weakened towards finish
NonRunner
Anemoi returned from a lengthy absence to score over hurdles at Wetherby and should make an even better chaser. He goes on the shortlist along with Coconut Splash, another lightly-raced hurdler who should relish tackling the larger obstacles having already won a point. Vado Forte has already had seven runs over fences but has been placed five times so should be thereabouts again. French imports Glajou and Crealion get a handy weight-for-age allowance but the interesting one is GARRY CLERMONT, who was challenging in a hot race at Carlisle on his fencing bow when trying to take the second-last by the roots. He was allowed to come home in his own time after that and can race off the same mark today.
Financier 11-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, effort after 2 out, faded last, 3rd of 4, 12 3/4l behind Tidal Flow (11-4) at Stratford 2m 5f (4) sft in Mar.
Anemoi (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Mid-division, slow 1st, challenged for lead 3 out, narrow advantage 2 out, ridden after last, always doing enough, won at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct beating Proschema (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Coconut Splash (IRE) 4-6fav (11-5) Chased leaders, led before 3 out, soon hard pressed, edged left after last, stayed on strongly, won at Wetherby 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan beating Bean In Trouble (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Garry Clermont (FR) 9-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, closed before 4th, every chance when mistake 2 out, rider nearly unseated but did well to stay on, still thereabouts last, no impression flat, 6th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Flegmatik (10-13) at Carlisle 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Vado Forte (FR) 17-2 (11-5) Midfield, hit 1st, progress to challenge for lead 4 out, pushed before 2 out, headed jumping last, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 11, 4 1/4l behind Amoola Gold (11-2) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Zambezi Fix (FR) 10-1 (11-13) Mid-division, slight mistake 5th, not fluent and rider dropped whip at 11th, 3rd and mistake 4 out, 3rd and bad mistake 3 out, pushed along in 3rd 2 out, 2nd and mistake at last, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 5 1/4l behind Razoul (11-13) at Tramore 2m 5f Yielding in Jul.
Butterwick Brook (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Led, hit 5 out, challenged 3 out, headed after next, rallied last, no extra closing stages, 4th of 13, 6 3/4l behind Big Bresil (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) hvy in Feb.
Crealion (FR) (10-10) 5th of 6, 9l behind Magrudy (11-0) at Compiegne 2m 2f hvy in Sep.
Glajou (FR) 9-2 (10-12) Led until after 1st, prominent, led 2 out, headed before last, held flat, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Press Your Luck (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (4) gs in Oct.
Shut The Box (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, went 2nd from last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 15l behind Vorashann (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
