held up in touch, slow 5th, under pressure 4 out, pulled up soon after 3 out
chased leaders, under pressure 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up 4 out
led until 3rd, mistake 6th, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up 4 out
tracked leader, led 3rd, clear 5 out, mistake last, all out (1 fence ommited)
behind, mistake 1st, detatched after 4th, pulled up before 9th
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge after 3 out, kept on well under pressure
in touch, lost place approaching 6th, soon ridden, detatched 9th, pulled up 4 out
XAARCET showed little in three runs over fences last season but was racing from much higher marks. He can now run off his lower hurdles rating and can get off the mark in a poor race. Alright Benny won very easily here last month and started favourite on a return visit but never got going and only stayed on to take second late in proceedings. The Informant won twice here in the spring over shorter but was beaten a long way over this trip on testing ground at Fontwell last time and has yet to prove he stays this far. Croco Mister's only victory came on this track just over a year ago and he's back on the same mark while Red Anchor is well handicapped if anywhere near his best, but hasn't shown it for a long time.
Xaarcet (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden and one pace 2 out, edged left before last, no extra flat, 4th of 11, 16l behind Exmoor Mist (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
Inthejungle (IRE) 8-1 (9-11) In rear slight peck 2nd, outpaced 10th, blundered next, tailed off when pulled up before 12th, in a race won by Arbeo (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Mar '13, 5 ran.
Alright Benny (IRE) 5-4fav (11-11) Led, hit 1st and soon headed, tracked leader, reminder 10th, soon outpaced, went remote 2nd from last, 2nd of 4, 16l behind Head Spin (11-10) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) sft.
Petit Ecuyer (FR) 40-1 (11-2) Towards rear, reminder 2nd, ridden before 6 out, soon weakened, tailed off, pulled up, in a race won by Sitting Back (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) sft, 8 ran.
The Informant 3-1 (11-1) Led, stumbled 2 out, headed between last two, no chance with easy winner, clear 2nd, 2nd of 4, 17l behind Ballydague Lady (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy in Nov.
Croco Mister (IRE) 7-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden before 4 out, weakened approaching next, 6th of 7, 35l behind One For The Boss (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Nov.
Red Anchor (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Led to 2nd, led again 6th, heaaded 7th, outpaced from 4 out, blundered badly 3 out, never dangerous after, 5th of 8, 23l behind Carhue Princess (11-1) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Nov.
