chased clear leading pair until hit 6th, outpaced 11th, driven 13th, went modest 3rd again approaching 3 out
jumped well, made all, clear 8th until approaching 4 out, soon in command again, stayed on well, unchallenged
held up in 4th, went 3rd at 6th, 2nd 11th, trying to close when not fluent 4 out, soon ridden and no impression
last pair, screwed 2nd, well beaten when went badly left 12th, tailed off
last pair, fell 9th
chased (clear) winner, lost 2nd 11th, chased clear leading pair, outpaced and no chance from 13th, weakened into 4th approaching 3 out, tailed off
MISTER GREZ was a fair fourth to Balthazar King at Cheltenham around this time last year off a higher mark. Dan Skelton's grey spent most of last season racing in better races than this and is fancied to make a winning reappearance. Cardigan Island looks exposed off this sort of mark but Frontier Spirit shouldn't be far away eased in grade, though it's a while since he got his head in front. Comehomequietly was only beaten a length by Strumble Head over course and distance last time but is another who hasn't won for a long time. Lava Lamp did win over fences at Ludlow a year ago but is probably better over hurdles.
Cardigan Island (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leader to 6th, soon lost place, plugged on from 4 out, went 4th run-in, no impression, 4th of 7, 9l behind Rockchasebullett (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Sep.
Frontier Spirit (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Led to 3 out, lost 2nd place 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Rockchasebullett (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Sep.
Mister Grez (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Held up, headway to join leader 5 out, ridden and kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 8, 15l behind Ice 'n' Easy (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Apr.
Lava Lamp (GER) 12-1 (10-1) Tracked leader until before last, one pace, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Teak (10-7) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp hdl (2) gd in Aug.
Comehomequietly (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) With leader, led after 4th, headed next, lost place after 8th, headway before 3 out, stayed on strongly from last, went 2nd towards finish, held by winner, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Strumble Head (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Aug.
Unforgettable (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, closed 4th, pushed along before 7th, outpaced from next, went well held 3rd before 2 out, 3rd of 7, 26l behind Going Concern (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Sep.
The Ould Lad (IRE) 9-4fav (10-8) Chased leaders, outpaced 10th, plugged on flat, 4th of 8, 31l behind Headly's Bridge (11-2) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) hvy in Mar.
