not fluent 1st behind front pair, awkward 3rd, pushed along 4 out, weakened 3 out
chased leader, bad mistake and blundered 5th where rider lost iron, recovered after next, pressed leader from 5 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on and every chance last, held run-in
held up in rear, slow jump 3rd, pushed along 4 out, no progress and beaten next
made all, soon clear, reduced lead 7th, faced strong challenge from 5 out, forged 1 length ahead home turn, pushed out run-in to assert closing stages
NonRunner
Mr Grey Sky has only been raised 3lb for completing a double at Chepstow but Chanceux is 0-6 over fences and didn’t show much on his reappearance at Aintree and Timeforatune just hasn’t taken to the larger obstacles. WESTERN ZEPHYR (NAP) was a bit unlucky when beaten by seasoned handicapper Xcitations at Sandown and can make it third-time lucky in chases today with Beau Balko easily outpointed by Tritonic when favourite at Wincanton.
Western Zephyr (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, challenging when pecked 2 out, stayed on, held towards finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Xcitations (11-12) at Sandown 1m 7f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Beau Balko (FR) 11-8fav (11-0) Led, pushed along and headed 3 out, left in lead again 2 out, soon ridden and headed approaching last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 4, 4 3/4l behind Tritonic (11-10) at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Timeforatune 66-1 (11-10) Always behind, pulled up before 5 out, at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Chanceux (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Led, hit 5th, headed 7th and remained close up, weakened tamely omitted 3 out, 8th of 9, dist behind Djelo (11-12) at Aintree 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Mr Grey Sky (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Made all, faced strong challenge when left 3 lengths clear 3 out, soon pushed along, not fluent 2 out, ran on well, always doing enough, won at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Showbusiness (11-9) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
