tracked leading pair until 5th, 3rd again 9th, hit 13th, lost 3rd 16th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
led until 2nd, chased winner until blundered 5th, chased leading pair until 9th, dropped to last 12th, tailed off and pulled up 4 out
raced keenly in 4th, went 2nd at 5th, switched left before last, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
held up last, closer in 4th at 12th, 3rd 16th, stayed on same pace no chance with leading duo
jumped well and always travelling, tracked leader until led 2nd, shaken up and clear before last, stayed on well, ridden out
CAIRNSHILL has found one too good the last twice now including over 3m2f at Carlisle last time when beaten less than a length by Bafana Blue, who has subsequently won again. Kenny Johnson’s charge looks to have leading claims on that form. Lord Du Mesnil was also narrowly beaten at Stratford on his reappearance though has been raised 5lb for his trouble while La Cavsa Nostra won at Chepstow before unseating but is 10lb higher today. Maiden hurdle winner Fortified Bay debuts over the larger obstacles and is preferred to Stoneford of the rest.
Fortified Bay (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Led, not fluent 5th, ridden before headed and mistake last, no chance with winner after, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Decor Irlandais (11-4) at Cartmel 2m 6f (4) sft in Jul.
Stoneford (IRE) 50-1 (12-1) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, lost place before 3 out, soon behind, pulled up after, at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Lord Du Mesnil (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Mid-division, left close up in 3rd at 8th, led briefly between last 2, upsides when not fluent last, soon ridden, switched inside and kept on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 8, nk behind De Forgotten One (11-0) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Cairnshill (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, ridden to challenge after next, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Bafana Blue (11-4) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
La Cavsa Nostra (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) Led, blundered and unseated rider 5th, at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
