tracked leaders, struggling after 11th, weakened before 5 out, pulled up approaching 2 out
led, not fluent 4th, headed 11th, weakened 4 out
held up, hit 2nd, headway 6th, went 2nd after 11th, led 4 out, clear from next, eased towards finish
held up, went 4th approaching 5 out, soon weakened, no chance when fell last
tracked leader, led 11th, headed 4 out, no chance with winner, mistake 2 out
held up, headway 4th, pecked 9th, last next, lost touch approaching 5 out, went modest 3rd latter stages
Simply Wings ran well on his chasing debut at Exeter but ran a shocker over a longer trip at Ludlow next time. This ground will suit, however, and he looks the likely danger to CRISTAL BONUS. Highly tried over hurdles last season after finishing second in a Grade 1 at Auteuil, Paul Nicholls' six-year-old could be an exciting prospect over fences. Basford Bob ran his best race so far over the larger obstacles when third to Mac Aeda at Wetherby and can reach the frame again today with a clear round.
Autumn Haze 20-1 (10-12) Chased leading trio until dropped to rear 5th, hit next, ridden and struggling after 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Pride In Battle (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan '11.
Basford Bob (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Made most, mistake 4th and 10th, blundered 3 out, headed after next, kept on same pace, no chance with winner when lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 5, 11l behind Mac Aeda (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
Cristal Bonus (FR) 20-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, driven after 3 out, stayed on same pace and no impression from next, 7th of 14, 36l behind Grands Crus (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G2 (1) gs in Jan '11.
Penn Da Benn (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent 8th or 4 out, lost touch 3 out, last of 3, 41l behind Carpincho (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (4) sft.
Simply Wings (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway 12th, ridden before 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 9, well behind Midnight Haze (11-11) at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Lupita (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, weakened before 4 out, 5th of 7, 34l behind Molly Round (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f mares nov ch (4) hvy in Dec.