raced keenly, tracked leaders, outpaced approaching 4 out, plugged on from 2 out, went well held 4th before last
held up in last trio, plenty to do as pace lifted on long run approaching 2 out, headway on wide outside soon after, went left and bumped 2 out, ridden into 2nd between last 2, closing when pecked last, stayed on gamely to lead final 150 yards
tracked leaders on inside, hit 3 out, weakened approaching next
raced keenly, held up in last trio, headway on outside approaching 3 out, weakened before next
led and set steady pace, hit 6th and narrowly headed chased leader, every chance when hit 3 out, held when went right 2 out, ridden and lost 2nd between last 2, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, still plenty to do when headway on inside before 2 out, went 3rd before the last, one pace and no impression run-in
tracked leaders on outside, weakened after 3 out
tracked leader, led narrowly 6th, clear when went right 2 out, ridden between last 2, reduced lead when went right and hit last, headed and not pace of winner 150 yards out, kept on gamely
Mister Grez was never really travelling on his reappearance at Haydock but should strip fitter here. Orchard Boy showed a first hurdles win wasn’t far away when second again at Leicester last month. Loves Destination has been placed in both start this season but still looks a shade high in the weights and the jury is out on Spice Fair while Saffron Wells runs for the first time in more than a year. JALEO has also had a break but Ben Pauling has shown he can get one ready at home and the four-year-old had decent form in juvenile hurdles around this time last year.
Spice Fair 20-1 (11-8) Mid-division, in chasing pack 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 12, dist behind Brelan D'as (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Jaleo (GER) 6-1fav (11-2) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, soon beaten, 10th of 22, 24 1/4l behind Diego Du Charmil (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Saffron Wells (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 5 out, went 3rd before 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 8 1/2l behind Gallery Exhibition (11-9) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Mister Grez (FR) 20-1 (11-12) In rear and raced wide, weakened from 4 out, tailed off, soon pulled up, at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Orchard Boy (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Led, narrowly headed when mistake last, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Westendorf (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
Hidden Identity (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Mid-division on inside, chased leaders when blundered 2 out, weakened and pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gd in Apr.
Lightentertainment (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) In touch in mid-division, ridden and lost place after 5th, well beaten after 7th, 6th of 10, dist behind Black Ivory (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Loves Destination 10-1 (10-5) Led and set steady pace, pushed clear briefly before 2 out, ridden and headed between last 2, no chance with very easy winner, lost 2nd last strides, 3rd of 7, 8 1/4l behind Lifeboat Mona (11-9) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
