held up mid-division, weakened before 4 out, soon pulled up
held up in touch, led 5 out, headed 4 out, ridden before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
tracked leader, led 7th, headed before 10th, weakened before 4 out, soon pulled up
towards rear, pushed along 5 out, never dangerous, pulled up
towards rear, pushed along 7th, ridden and headway after 5 out, no impression from 4 out
mid-division, soon chased leaders, pushed along before 10th, led 4 out, headed before 2 out, weakened before last
held up in rear, ridden after 5 out, headway before 4 out, led before 2 out, clear before last, idled run-in, just held on, all out
led, headed 7th, weakened before 8 out, pulled up
held up towards rear, headway 5 out, tracked leaders before 4 out, went 2nd before last, kept on and just held near finish
held up towards rear, unseated rider 8th
close up, led before 10th, headed 5 out, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
with leaders, weakened from 7 out, pulled up
CORRIN WOOD jumped a lot better on his reappearance at Sandown than he had when down the field in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham last March. He took a further step forward in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on Boxing Day, when finishing ahead of Broadway Buffalo and last year's second Vintage Star, and gets the nod here with classier types coming to the fore in this Grade 2 in recent years. Green Flag would be interesting on the best of last season's form and makes more appeal than Hey Big Spender, who might struggle to confirm Newcastle form with Vintage Star. The latter's stablemate No Planning made a winning comeback over hurdles but, like Shangani, might struggle if this turns into a slog. Benbens will probably pop up in a decent race somewhere but is very frustrating, though holds Amigo on Welsh National running.
Hey Big Spender (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up, steady headway 10th, chased leading pair 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, driven and no impression between last two, lost 2nd at the last, no extra in 4th run-in, 4th of 9, 8l behind The Young Master (10-9) at Ascot 3m listed hcp chs (1) gs in Dec.
No Planning 4-1fav (11-5) Chased leaders, led 4 out, held on gamely flat, won at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec beating Spanish Fleet (11-7) by nk, 13 ran.
Corrin Wood (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 11, 12l behind Dolatulo (11-4) at Wetherby 3m 1f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Green Flag (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Mid-division, towards rear, 14th (foinavon), weakened 3 out, tailed off, 12th of 25, well behind Oscar Time (10-12) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Dec.
Shangani (USA) 8-1 (11-1) Held up in 5th, good headway tracking leaders approaching 7th, 2nd after 11th, led 12th until 3 out, chased winner, ridden between last two, upsides last, strong challenge close home, just failed, 2nd of 8, shd behind Ballinvarrig (10-9) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
Vintage Star (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Prominent, lost place 12th, no danger after, 8th of 11, 41l behind Dolatulo (11-4) at Wetherby 3m 1f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Samstown 8-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, headway 8th, lost place 14th, well behind 4 out, 8th of 10, well behind Benbane Head (9-11) at Cheltenham 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Amigo (FR) 9-1 (10-8) Prominent until 7th, struggling 12th, weakened before 5 out, 8th of 19, 42l behind Emperor's Choice (10-8) at Chepstow 3m 5f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) hvy in Dec.
Benbens (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Prominent, outpaced 5 out, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 19, 23l behind Emperor's Choice (10-8) at Chepstow 3m 5f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) hvy in Dec.
Man With Van (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, weakened before 5 out, went poor 3rd before last, 3rd of 6, 34l behind Wakanda (11-4) at Kelso 2m 7f nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
Toby Lerone (IRE) 13-2 (10-10) Tracked leaders, led 9th, hard ridden when challenged next, headed last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Broadway Buffalo (10-11) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec.
Wicklow Lad 7-1 (11-13) Disputed lead to 6th, tracked leaders, blundered and unseated rider 11th, in a race won by Nowurhurlin (11-13) at Kelso 2m 7f hts chs (6) hvy, 7 ran.
Broadway Buffalo (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) In rear, bad mistake 10th, kept on from 3 out, 5th of 11, 19l behind Dolatulo (11-4) at Wetherby 3m 1f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
