held up in rear, steady headway to track leaders 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, trying to mount a challenge when hit last, not quicken flat
took keen hold tracking leaders, outpaced before 3 out, allied to 3rd approaching 2 out, blundered and almost unseated rider last, not quicken flat
held up in last pair, headway to 3rd before 3 out, led before nezt, driven out and in command from last
jumped badly, took keen hold tracking leaders, headway to lead 5th until approaching next, chased leader, mistake and rider lost iron briefly 8th, blundered 3 out, soon weakened, blundered last
led and set steady pace, narrowly headed 5th, led again approaching next, pushed along and headed before 2 out, soon weakened
chased leader until before 3rd, chased leaders, weakened before 3 out
Invicta Lake landed a large-field Wincanton hurdle last month - a notable improvement on previous efforts - and has obvious claims if in the same mood here. However, a 9lb rise for a 1.5 length success does seem a little harsh. Cru Classe is obviously an interesting French raider for the Lagarde team and must be checked in the market, especially in receipt of so much weight all round. Auld Sthock has already shown how well he acts around this unique circuit in finishing runner-up here the last twice and seems sure to be involved once again now stepping into handicap company. He has a definite fitness edge over HENRYVILLE with those recent runs under his belt but Harry Fry usually has his charges revved up first time. The topweight showed considerable promise last term and may have too much class for the opposition, especially as he is guaranteed to receive maximum assistance from the saddle.
Henryville 5-2 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway 6th, chased leaders after 3 out, went 2nd before last, never troubled winner, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Sound Investment (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Auld Sthock (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Led until after 1st, tracked leader, not fluent 2nd, led again after 3rd, driven and headed flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Ashdown Lad (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy.
Invicta Lake (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, steady headway after 3 out, travellling well before next, tracke dleaders from 2 out, produced to lead going to the last, kept on well flat, won at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Oct beating Bold Raider (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Arrayan 14-1 (11-2) Led and soon clear, not fluent 5th, mistake and headed 3 out, no extra when blundered next, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 44l behind Tuscan Gold (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Apr.
King Ozzy (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened quickly after 7th, pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Mrs Peachey (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
Cru Classe (FR) (10-12) 5th of 7, 15l behind Garussian (11-4) at Moulins(FR) 2m 3f chs sft in Oct.
