raced wide prominent, ridden to lead approaching last, joined flat, driven out, gamely
led, ridden and headed 2 out, still every chance next, ran on
prominent, joined leader 4 out, ridden to lead 2 out, headed approaching next, weakened flat
always towards rear, jumped left 8th, soon weakened, tailed off
always in rear, tailed off when pulled up 5 out
towards rear, hampered 8th, pulled up 4 out
close up, tracked leaders 8th, ridden and weakened 2 out
prominent, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up 2 out
Phantom Getaway easily won a handicap over 3m at Ffos Las last month but faces no easy task back in novice company against less-exposed rivals. Grove Road looked a nice prospect when pulling readily clear of favourite The King Of Ryhope on his hurdling debut at Carlisle and Mr Vango got the better of the more-experienced Inis Oirr on his debut under Rules at Haydock. INFLEXIBLE ran in snatches at Ffos Las but was rallying in the closing stages so a step up in trip should suit the French import, who will strip fitter today and is receiving 6lb from the previous winners.
Grove Road (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Prominent, led before 3 out, ridden before 2 out and faced challenge, kept on dourly, always doing enough, won at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) hvy in Oct beating The King Of Ryhope (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Mr Vango (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Led, jumped right and hit 2nd, headed 3 out and pushed along, kept on 2 lengths behind 2 out, rallied approaching last, ridden and stayed on gamely to regain lead narrowly final 110 yards on run-in, won at Haydock 3m mdn (4) sft in Nov beating Inis Oirr (11-4) by nk, 5 ran.
Phantom Getaway (IRE) 11-8fav (12-0) Prominent, led 5th, quickened approaching last, eased towards finish, comfortable, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Holdbacktheriver (10-2) by 7l, 6 ran.
Best Mate Dave 250-1 (11-4) Towards rear, pecked and lost place 2nd, ridden and behind after 7th, 11th of 12, dist behind Passing Well (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Famous Oisin (IRE) (11-11) Ww in rr, prog to 7th 1/2way, rdn bef 3out twrds rr, no ex appr str, ko bhnd, 6th of 15, 21 1/4l behind Whacker Clan (11-11) at Grennan 3m mdn sft in May.
Bryn Telescope 80-1 (11-3) In rear, always behind, pulled up, at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Inflexible (FR) 10-3 (11-3) Close up, not fluent 4th, dropped to 4th home turn, pushed along and pressed leader before 2 out, every chance last, kept on, held run-in, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Broomfield Present (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Drumlees Pet (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden before 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 9, dist behind Makin'yourmindup (11-7) at Chepstow 3m (4) gs in Dec.
