held up in rear, headway on outside before 6th, outpaced next, not fluent when struggling 4 out, well beaten after next
held up, took keen hold, closed before 6th, shaken up 8th, no impression, well beaten after 3 out
tracked leader until 2nd, lost place before 6th, stayed on after 3 out, chased winner 2 out, closed last, unable to challenge
took keen hold, chased winner 2nd until before 6th, not fluent 7th, 2nd again 8th until 2 out, lost 3rd last
made all, clear 3 out until last, driven out
chased leaders on outside, 2nd before 6th until 8th, struggling 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd last
NonRunner
Azzuri has had a break since failing to land the odds at Worcester in September and he makes limited appeal at the weights making his handicap debut over fences. Swift Crusador was a shade disappointing at Aintree last month when starting favourite but he is back over the trip over which he was narrowly beaten at Chepstow earlier. IMJOEKING is only a pound higher than when winning at Ayr last March so is worth considering having run well in the Grand Sefton at Aintree last month. He is just preferred to Vivaccio, who was returning from a lengthy absence when third at Ludlow off this mark and would go close if building on that. Red Riverman isn’t badly treated but may not be the force of old.
Somchine 16-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, slow 8th struggling before 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Haydock 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Azzuri 4-11fav (12-0) Led, headed 4 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 4, 14 3/4l behind King Alfonso (11-2) at Worcester 2m (4) gd in Sep.
Imjoeking (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Prominent, led 12th (canal turn), headed 14th, led after 3 out, headed last, no extra before elbow, 5th of 11, 29l behind Gas Line Boy (11-10) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Swift Crusador 5-2fav (11-4) Reluctant to race and lost many lengths, in touch 3rd, not fluent 8th or 9th, went 2nd 11th until 3 out, mistake 2 out, no extra last, 3rd of 7, 17l behind Play The Ace (11-12) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Big Jim 7-1 (11-8) In touch, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, no chance after, 5th of 9, 27 1/4l behind Crievehill (11-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Vivaccio (FR) 3-1 (10-11) Held up in 5th, ridden after 9th, headway last, switched left flat, went 3rd and stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 6, 5 1/2l behind Colin's Brother (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Red Riverman 9-1 (11-11) Held up off the pace in 4th, headway approaching 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, soon ridden and no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 18l behind Lake Field (10-10) at Newbury 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
