tracked leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, led last ridden flat, kept on well
in touch in 4th, mistake 5th, mistake 3 out, soon pushed along and outpaced
held up in rear and mistakes, struggling from 9th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 12th
held up towards rear, mistake 11th, pushed along before 13th and outpaced, kept on from last to take 3rd flat, no impression
with leader, pushed along before 3 out, weakened from 2 out
made most until headed last, ridden and one pace, no chance with winner
Vosges was highly tried over hurdles and completing a double at Musselburgh last winter. He would be interesting if taking to the larger obstacles but time may be running out for the once-useful Blue Shark to make an impact over fences. Golfer's Crossing doesn't look up to this grade and Soft Spoken Guy had his limitations exposed after winning here in April. The Panama Kid caused an upset at Perth on his reappearance but is now 9lb higher in the weights and may struggle to give weight to LIVELY BARON. A winner over Haydock's brush hurdles around this time last year, Donald McCain's six-year-old should thrive now tackling fences and is fairly treated on his debut over the larger obstacles.
The Panama Kid (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, not fluent 12th, led 3 out, stayed on well, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Sep beating The Disengager (10-12) by 8l, 9 ran.
Lively Baron (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, not fluent last one pace, 2nd of 10, 10l behind Arctic Court (10-10) at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Blue Shark (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Led, hard pressed after 3 out, headed between last 2, soon ridden, kept on and every chance after last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Logans Run (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in May '10.
Soft Spoken Guy (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) With leader, led 6th, headed 11th, lost place next, went poor 3rd 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 4, 18l behind Kingsmoss (10-12) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs (4) gd in Jun.
Vosges (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Led until after 1st, remained prominent, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 10, well behind Bold Sir Brian (11-1) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Mar.
Golfer's Crossing (IRE) 9-2fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, led 5th, headed 3 out, led again next, soon headed and weakened, 6th of 13, 26l behind Charingworth (10-10) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Mar.
