held up in 4th, went 3rd 11th, 2nd 14th until 17th, chased leading pair, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, went left 2 out, weakened into 4th last
tracked leading pair until 11th, tracked leaders, 3rs again 15th, 2nd 17th, pushed along before 2 out, held 2 out, ridden and no impression run-in
led until 3rd, chased winner, mistake 12th, not fluent next, lost 2nd 14th, blundered and lost place 15th, struggling in rear after, went badly left 2 out, plugged on into poor 3rd at the last
jumped well, pressed leader, led 3rd, made rest, pushed along before 3 out, clear from 2 out, driven before last, stayed on strongly
VIVALDI COLLONGES (NAP) came good over fences last season, winning three of his four starts. His only defeat came on heavy going over a much longer trip and he can outstay Voix D'eau, who appeared to find 3m too far at Ascot only eight days ago. Ballybolley has won three times over 2m4f but tries this trip for the first time under Rules, though was placed in a couple of points at the start of his career. Amore Alato is still a maiden over the larger obstacles and is another who has his stamina to prove.
Voix D'Eau (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Behind, headway before 2 out, ran on after last, never nearer, 7th of 12, 9 1/4l behind Antony (10-1) at Ascot 3m hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Ballybolley (IRE) 3-10fav (11-12) Tracked leader, driven to challenge after 3 out, stayed on strongly to lead close home, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f (3) gd in Oct beating Definite Future (11-12) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Vivaldi Collonges (FR) 9-4fav (11-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd, soon with leader, led 5th, headed 7th, led again 10th, soon headed, led 5 out, not fluent 2 out, kept on well, ridden out, won at Ayr 3m hcp (2) gs in Apr beating Kilbree Chief (10-4) by 5l, 7 ran.
Amore Alato 12-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, driven before 3 out, weakened from next, 9th of 20, 22 1/2l behind Ballyalton (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp lst (1) gs in Mar.
