tracked leaders, led before 2 out, stayed on well, driven out (2 fences omitted)
reluctant to race and slowly away, detached in rear, headway to chase leaders before 7th, weakened 4 out
in touch, headway 4 out, driven to challenge next, chased winner after 2 out, kept on well closing stages
with leader, led approaching 4th, headed 10th, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, driven to challenge 3 out, weakened after next
led, soon pressed, headed approaching 4th, led again 10th, blundered 3 out, headed before next, weakened last
Cyrien Star is still 9lb higher than when landing this 12 months ago and has developed attitude problems. Neither Cruchain nor Kilcascan are getting any younger but both are previous course winners so warrant respect. This intermediate distance may suit Ladfromhighworth but he turned in a shocker at Uttoxeter last month where he finished well behind subsequent Warwick winner Foundation Man. BIG CASINO was clear of the remainder when just failing to peg back Cobajayisland over 3m at Uttoxeter. Though raised 3lb since, he won off a higher mark last year so can go one better.
Big Casino 4-1fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, 2nd after 4 out, driven 2 out, stayed on, unable to challenge winner, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Cobajayisland (11-5) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Cyrien Star 40-1 (11-3) Refused to race, at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Foundation Man (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Prominent, led 4th until 7th, chased leader, led again 4 out, clear 3 out, mistake 2 out, ridden before went right last, held on under pressure, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep beating King's Song (10-11) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Ladfromhighworth 9-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, jumped slowly and lost place 8th, well beaten 11th, 7th of 8, dist behind Definite Future (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Cruchain (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, 2nd before 4 out until 3 out, weakened flat, 5th of 8, 16 3/4l behind Mont Royale (11-4) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Kilcascan 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, pushed along after 8th, headway 12th, led last, held on, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Wiffy Chatsby (11-7) by hd, 10 ran.
