held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, challenged 3 out, a close 3rd when blundered badly last, no extra
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd at 9th, led after 4 out, ridden and under pressure from 2 out, kept on flat, driven out
held up in touch, headway 10th to take closer order, weakened 3 out
held up in rear, not fluent 6th, weakened from 3 out
tracked leader, jumped slowly 1st, took keen hold, led 2nd, headed 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out
led, headed 2nd, led again 3rd, not fluent 8th, headed after 4 out, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on flat, held towards finish
Grand Award may well have won over hurdles at Ffos Las last time if not for slipping after the last flight, but this is only his second chase and the switch back to this sphere from top weight gives him plenty of work to do to see off STOLEN LIGHT. Andy Crook's gelding has been dropped a handy 2lb since finishing runner-up over course and distance last time, and while he can throw in the odd below-par effort he is generally consistent. Usually a good jumper and with almost a stone less to shoulder than Donald McCain's top weight, we will side with him. Donovan is 2lb worse off with our pick than when they were both behind Persian Gates here and so won't find it any easier.
Grand Award 11-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, driven to challenge 2 out, every chance when slipped up and fell after last, in a race won by Mediolanum (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m nov hdl (4) gs, 8 ran.
Foxesbow (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, mistake 9th, welll behind when blundered 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Aztec Treasure (11-5) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp 0-100 (4) gs, 12 ran.
Jubilee George 10-3 (11-7) Led, ridden and headed 12th, chased winner until 3 out, ridden to chase winner again approaching last, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 5, 43l behind Bonne Noel's (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 5f nov hts chs (6) gd in Apr '09.
Donovan (NZ) 9-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, headway to chase leading pair after 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression approaching last, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Persian Gates (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.
Ortega (FR) 17-2 (10-1) Took keen hold, tracked leader until after 9th, hit 12th, weakened 15th, pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Gerrard (11-1) at Southwell 3m hcp 0-100 (4) gd, 8 ran.
Dark Gentleman 9-1 (10-8) Towards rear, hit 5th, soon reminders, struggling from 7th, 5th of 10, 34l behind Janal (9-9) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy.
Stolen Light (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Always prominent, led before 8th, headed before 3 out, kept on and every chance until ridden and one pace flat, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Persian Gates (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.
