held up in last off the pace, not fluent 5th, ridden after 11th, headway when hit 4 out, stayed on same pace from next, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner
chased clear leaders, not fluent 8th or 9th, headway approaching 4 out, outpaced when awkward 3 out, weakened next
tracked leader, challenged 3rd, led when not fluent 5th, not fluent 11th, headed before 3 out, no impression on winner from 2 out, mistake last, lost 2nd close home
led until 5th, tracked leader, mistake and dropped to last 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up in 4th, headway approaching 4 out, soon challenging, led before 3 out, clear next, easily
CROCO MISTER hasn't had much racing and is progressing nicely judged on his recent close second to Truckers Benefit at Plumpton and this should prove well within his capabilities. Ouest Eclair had some reasonable form over timber but hasn't shown much to date over fences though he looks the main threat despite some poor recent form. The remaining trio are moderate in the extreme though Thorncliffer did show a glimmer of ability over hurdles.
Ouest Eclair (FR) 33-1 (10-12) In rear, headway after 5 out, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 10, 44l behind Or de Grugy (11-5) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Croco Mister (IRE) 4-1 (10-2) Mid-division, mistake 4th, headway to chase leaders approaching 8th, effort 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd after last, never reached winner, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Truckers Benefit (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Oct.
Thorncliffer 50-1 (10-11) Led, headed before 4th, led 5th, mistake next, headed 9th, weakened 5 out, 6th of 10, 32l behind Vin De Roy (11-9) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Feb.
Grenoli (FR) 66-1 (9-11) Miud-division, headway 3rd, jumped left next, ridden after 6th, no extra 2 out, 4th of 9, 16l behind Arctic Echo (11-7) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Oct.
Peak Seasons (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Held up, ridden 9th, mistake and no chance from 4 out, kept on flat, 5th of 6, 21l behind Farewellatmidnight (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.