tracked leaders, left 3rd after 5 out, soon beaten
in rear and in touch, left 2nd after 5 out, chance last, ridden run-in, kept on and held towards finish
led, ridden before 2 out, pressed before last, kept on and held on towards finish
tracked winner, going well when clipped heels and fell on bend after 5 out
Red Spinner was progressive over hurdles last winter and has the scope to make a chaser. Pine Creek, from the same stable as the winner 12 months ago, was second in a Grade 3 hurdle at Ascot a little under a year ago and then ran in the Betfair Hurdle. But he was very disappointing on his reappearance at Aintree and is best watched until showing signs of a revival. STEPHANIE FRANCES won three of her 10 starts over hurdles and made The New One work hard for victory at Kempton last month. If she can translate that form to fences she should do well and is the choice here with Exitas likely to find easier opportunities in the months ahead.
Exitas (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Always towards rear, never on terms, tailed off and pulled up 2 out, at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Pine Creek 13-2 (11-7) Tracked leader, outpaced in 3rd 3 out, lost place next, weakened before last, last of 6, 35 3/4l behind Hunters Hoof (10-8) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Red Spinner (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Made all, ridden and joined 2 out, driven and stayed on strongly flat, won at Bangor 2m 1f (4) gs in Mar beating Vinnie Red (11-6) by 2l, 6 ran.
Stephanie Frances (IRE) 5-1fav (11-1) In touch, headway before 2 out, soon chasing winner, kept on well, 2nd of 5, 2l behind The New One (11-8) at Kempton 2m lst (1) gd in Oct.
