in touch in rear, ridden 7th, behind from next
tracked leader until 4th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
in touch in rear, headway 3 out, led 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on flat
led at good pace, ridden 3 out, headed before 2 out, weakened approaching last
in touch in rear, outpaced between 3 out and 2 out, stayed on approaching last, went 2nd near finish
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, led between 3 out and 2 out, ridden and headed 2 out, lost 2nd near finish
A disappointing turn out for a decent prize that can go the way of SIR TANTALLUS HAWK. Alan Swinbank's charge hasn't been out since finishing down the field in a Listed handicap at Aintree and didn't really progress as might have been hoped for last season but he still has time on his side and should be capable of making his mark at this level. Keki Buku is feared most as he was far from disgraced in decent company on his last three starts but this is easier and he should relish the testing conditions. Auroras Encore is better known as a chaser and may find this trip on the short side, Fin Vin De Leu has yet to convince entirely and Dontpaytheferryman can emerge as a bigger threat as he's running well and has gained two of his last three wins on heavy.
Sir Tantallus Hawk 40-1 (11-0) Mid-division, mistake 4th, well beaten after 4 out, blundered 3 out, tailed off, 19th of 22, well behind Sir Harry Ormesher (11-1) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Auroras Encore (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 15th, weakened after 15th, pulled up before last, in a race won by Ouzbeck (11-6) at Uttoxeter 3m 4f lstd hcp chs (1) gf in Jun, 18 ran.
Keki Buku (FR) 7-1 (11-8) Held up, headway 4th, driven 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 11, 20l behind Quartz De Thaix (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Fin Vin de Leu (GER) 25-1 (11-2) In touch on inside, went 2nd 6th, every chance 3 out, weakened soon after, 13th of 17, 35l behind Russian War (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
Degas Art (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, in 6th approaching 3 out, one pace and no impression from next, 4th of 12, 13l behind Maska Pony (11-5) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Dontpaytheferryman (USA) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, driven after 3 out, one pace last, 4th of 15, 12l behind Viva Colonia (10-8) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
