tracked leader, led 4th, pushed along approaching 3 out, joined next, narrowly headed last, rallied gamely under pressure on inside to lead again final 100 yards
tended to jump right, took keen hold, tracked leading pair, lost 3rd 10th, outpaced next, last and struggling when blundered 3 out, pulled up before next
pulled hard, held up last, blundered 8th, went 3rd 10th, tracked leader on bit just before 4 out, upsides 2 out, led and not fluent last, ridden flat, foung nil and headed final 100 yards
led, slow and headed 4th, pressed leader, went right and hit 7th, lost 2nd just before 4 out, soon outpaced and no chance with leading duo, eased from 3 out, tailed off
Cloudy Sunset returns from a long absence and is taking on three potentially useful novices here. Balzaccio is the most experienced of the trio having had five runs over the larger obstacles. He's gone close on a couple of occasions and this represents a drop in grade but he may have to settle for a place again behind ESCORT'MEN. Successful in a Grade 2 hurdle at Kempton last year, he won on his reappearance over timber last season and can be forgiven his only subsequent run in the Christmas Hurdle. Still lightly-raced, he could be one to follow this term. Henry Hook had a couple of runs over fences in May but didn't sparkle and may need further than this nowadays.
Balzaccio (FR) 20-1 (11-9) Mid-division on inside, hit 6th, outpaced before 4 out, soon beaten, 9th of 15, well behind Roalco De Farges (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Apr.
Cloudy Sunset 200-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 6th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 11, well behind Born Again (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Feb '10.
Escort'men (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Not fluent 1st, held up in touch, driven and outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Binocular (11-7) at Kempton 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Jan.
Henry Hook (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Mid-division, mistake 7th, struggling 4 out, no impression from next, 6th of 9, 25l behind Icy Colt (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chase (4) gf in May.
