led until 1st, with leader, not fluent 3rd, mistake 3 out, drew well clear approaching 2 out, kept up to work, stayed on
held up in last, mistake and lost touch 6th
led 1st until after 3 out, no chance with winner before 2 out, held on for 2nd despite being closed down by 3rd from approaching last
tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, pushed along before 6th, losing ground on front pair when pulled up before next
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, not fluent and lost place next, left 3rd before 7th, closed down on 2nd from 2 out, no chance with winner
Heavy ground will hold no fears for Sustainability but it's a while since he ran over hurdles and nine months since he last saw a racecourse. Tiger O'Toole is also better known as a chaser nowadays and is another returning from a break but ROUDOUDOU VILLE was having his first start for two years when fourth at Chepstow. He'll also be back over fences soon but can take this en route as Virak's last run came in a four-year-old chase and he was tailed off on earlier start at Chepstow, though did win twice last spring. Wily Fox is on a career-high mark but running well and wouldn't be without a chance.
Virak (FR) 2-1 (10-12) Chased winner until approaching 4th, disputing 2nd when mistake 3 out, soon no extra, 3rd of 4, 15l behind Rio De Sivola (10-12) at Warwick 2m 4yo chs (3) gs in Nov.
Tiger O'Toole (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Led, clear until before 3rd, headed 3 out, soon lost place, well beaten before 2 out, last of 8, well behind Jumps Road (11-2) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
Sustainability (IRE) 11-4 (11-10) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 12th, no impression when lost 2nd 2 out, weakened to 4th approaching last, 4th of 9, 22l behind Theatrical Star (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (4) gs in Apr.
Roudoudou Ville (FR) 12-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, effort 4 out, soon driven and one pace, weakened 2 out, 4th of 15, 33l behind Aubusson (10-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Wily Fox 15-2 (10-12) Prominent, ridden and stayed on same pace from 3 out, no chance with winner, 4th of 8, 10l behind Act Of Kalanisi (11-12) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
